Estonian formin: Assistance to Iraq must continue

21.02.2008

TALLINN, Feb 21, BNS - Despite an improvement in the Iraqi situation, the international coalition must continue assistance to Iraq and so must Estonia, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet says.

"Our firm position is that the international coalition must continue helping Iraq," Paet said during a foreign policy discussion in parliament today. "Otherwise Iraq could be facing the threat of an escalating civil war which may spread beyond the country's borders."

Paet said he intends to visit Iraq before summer and sound out its leading politicians on their expectations.

"Iraq will remain in the focus of international attention for a long time yet and I think Estonian assistance too should continue until stability arrives in Iraq and as long as Iraq wishes our help," the minister said.

Increasing the US contingent in Iraq since spring 2007 combined with serious US diplomatic efforts has brought marked success, Paet said.

He conceded that a report released by the UN secretary-general in January still describes the Iraqi security policy situation as complicated, but compared to earlier times a considerable decrease in violence is observed and this thanks to the effective work of Iraqi police.

In Paet's words, the security situation has stabilized in half of Iraqi provinces to the extent that has allowed the international coalition to hand over control to Iraqi forces. During this year the central government has to achieve control over the remaining nine provinces as well.

In view of the improved security situation, the legal basis of the presence of international forces in Iraq may be changed, the minister added.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8861, sise@bns.ee