13 July 2004	Tuesday	24 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

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WASHINGTON, July 12: The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday formally announced the appointment of Ashraf Jehangir Qazi as his special representative for Iraq.

"This is a wonderful compliment not just to myself but also to my country," Mr Qazi, who is currently Pakistan's ambassador in Washington, told Dawn.

"The secretary-general has informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Ambassador Qazi of Pakistan as his special representative for Iraq," said a brief statement issued at the UN headquarters in New York.

The secretary-general, the statement said, reviewed a number of candidates and "considered a short list of three highly qualified persons". The statement identified the other two as a former foreign minister of Thailand, Surin Pitsuwan and a former foreign secretary of India, Salman Haider.

South Asian diplomatic sources in Washington say that the real tie was between Ambassador Qazi and Mr Haider but there were several factors that went in favour of Mr Qazi.

Officials in Washington hope that he would be able to use his diplomatic skills to reach out to the Iraqi people and bring peace to the war-devastated country. "I hope my appointment will be as helpful as possible to the great people of Iraq," said Mr Qazi when asked to explain his mission.

He, however, refused to comment on media reports that his appointment would make it easier for Pakistan to contribute troops to a UN-sponsored force in Iraq. "It is still too early for me to talk about policy matters," he said.

"I am humbled by this compliment and will try and justify the trust that has been shown in me by the secretary-general," said Mr Qazi. "I hope to be able to live up to the expectations of all concerned."

He said he would soon go to New York to get the necessary briefing and will also visit Pakistan before going to Iraq to consult the government, "but first I have to wind up my work in Washington, make farewell calls and complete other formalities". President Pervez Musharraf, he said, had not only given his consent for him to take up this assignment but also "supported me at every stage".

PAKISTAN WELCOMES: Pakistan on Monday welcomed the appointment of its ambassador to the United States, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, as special representative of the UN secretary- general, adds APP.

"It is a tribute to Ambassador's Qazi's proven competence and professionalism," Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan told APP here. Mr Khan said: "As the Ambassador takes this important and sensitive assignment, we wish him well.

It is a matter of pride for Pakistan's Foreign Service." This assignment, he said, required leadership which Ambassador Qazi has demonstrated in his long and successful diplomatic career.

US LAUDS: In Washington, the United States welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi to the post of UNSG's special representative on Iraq. "We welcome it. We look forward to working with him at the United Nations, as we have worked with him in Washington as Pakistan's Ambassador."

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