Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The UN Security Council has responsibility for this matter. Any information concerning the improper use of funds must be transmitted to the monitoring board. We did not raise this issue with the President when we met him recently, although we did raise the unfortunate and difficult situation in Iraq. It is important to emphasise what has happened there over recent years. There has been a huge resurgence in the people's desire to have their own government and the establishment of democratic institutions. It must be recognised that there are a small number of insurgents who are endeavouring to cause civil war and undo the good that has been done. Many people were surprised at the developments concerning the elections, the referendum and the establishment of an Iraqi government. It was never going to be easy given the different religious factions there. The main focus should be on trying to get a government in place that has broad support from all factions. We should not focus on other issues.

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