By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un2melkraq030810.html
UNITED NATIONS, March 8 -- While there is much to be said about the Iraqi elections just held, the UN can't seem to get it act together on what to say, or even what it should be talking about. Top UN envoy to Iraq Ad Melkert spoke for the second time in a month to correspondents at UN headquarters Monday, this time by video, and painted a rosy picture of the election.
Inner City Press asked about the sample complaints of Ayad Allawi, about irregularities and confusion at polling stations, and his call for an investigation. We are aware of points of various candidates, Melkert said. It is is not my task to comment on particular statements. Video here, from Minute 10:42.
But how could Melkert's rosy assessment not be seen as an implicit rejection of Allawi's complaints, Inner City Press asked. Video here, from Minute 11:52. It is not my task or UNAMI's task, Melkert replied, to assess complaints. I did not refer to fair elections, only that turn out was good, that it was a big day, Melkert said. "You cannot attribute to me any assessment."
But the UK Telegraph did attribute an assessment to Melkert, specifically as a rebuttal to Allawi, directly by this quote: "The polling process was well-organised, orderly, and polling procedures were properly applied."
So Melkert made that statement to the Telegraph, and then told UN correspondents that it is not his or UNAMI's job to make such assessments. Which is it?
To some, this is reminiscent of the UN's performance during the Afghanistan election, downplaying complaints until a whistleblower emerged to denounce Kai Eide's praise. Watch this site.
