UNITED NATIONS, Nov 5: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has warned United States that major military campaigns in Iraq's militant strongholds can jeopardize upcoming elections.

In a letter dated Oct 31, Mr Annan told American, British and Iraqi leaders that the United Nations wanted to help prepare for the elections, scheduled for the end of January, but feared a rise in violence could disrupt the process.

"I have in mind not only the risk of increased insurgent violence, but also reports of major military offensives being planned by the multinational force in key localities such as Fallujah," Annan wrote in the letter.

Mr Annan warned that new military assaults, "in which the main burden seems bound to be borne by American forces," might discourage Iraqis from participating in the vote.

The UN chief urged the US-led coalition to give more time for dialogue to succeed and offered UN help. "I, and all my colleagues at the United Nations Secretariat, want to help," Mr Annan wrote. "But we need a conducive environment if elections are to produce a positive effect."

After meeting with European leaders at a European Union summit in Brussels, Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said on Friday the "window" for a peaceful settlement of the stand off over Fallujah was closing fast.

Opinion

Revamping the ecosystem

Revamping the ecosystem

Key to high-quality performance of public sector institutions lies in attracting, retaining and motivating civil servants of high calibre throughout the system.

Editorial

Rain havoc
Updated 19 Jul, 2025

Rain havoc

Thursday’s events must be seen not as an isolated disaster, but as a warning of what lies ahead.
Shattered Strip
19 Jul, 2025

Shattered Strip

THE Gaza siege has now crossed 650 days and the situation continues to take one ugly turn after another. True, even...
Battling drugs
19 Jul, 2025

Battling drugs

PAKISTAN’s war on drug trafficking has been ongoing for several years. But the country remains awash in the ...
Soaring again
Updated 18 Jul, 2025

Soaring again

The lifting of the ban by the UK will lead to several welcome developments.
Terror in Kalat
18 Jul, 2025

Terror in Kalat

THE unrest in Balochistan is increasingly taking on an ugly and dangerous colour, with repeated, indiscriminate...
Economic exclusion
18 Jul, 2025

Economic exclusion

FOR all the progress made in Pakistan towards the inclusion of women across the sociopolitical divide, comprehensive...