"We insisted that, before hailing the formation of a new government set in the resolution of the United Nations Security Council, his vision of the goals facing Iraq is to be acquainted with to see if it is in line with the requirements set for the Iraqi settlement", Fedotov said.
This is why Russia has proposed that representatives of the Iraqi government come to New York for consultations with members of the Security Council, he said.
It is important to determine a format for the meeting, he believes. "There is a format fixed by the UN Secretary General for the 7+5+5 group (Iraq's neighbours, five permanent and five non-permanent members of the UN Security Council). At the consultations the group would hear the opinions and considerations of the new Iraqi leadership on form and terms for the UN international assistance to Iraq", the diplomat said.
"The main thing now is that the new Iraqi government enjoys the trust of the people of Iraq and international legitimacy. It should rely on a broad spectrum of the Iraqi political forces", Fedotov believes.
He voiced the hope that the United Nations will take an active part in the preparation of elections in Iraq. "The United Nations has the required experience and background", Fedotov noted.
