Allawi, Us Seeking International Meeting On Iraq Next Month

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 25 (AFP) - The US administration and Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi are trying to organize an international conference in October to boost Iraq's electoral process, Secretary of State Colin Powell said in a report published Saturday.
"We are planning to have a regional meeting consisting of all the leaders of Iraq and the G-8 (Group of Eight), we hope some time in October," Powell told The New York Times in an interview. "That's what Prime Minister Allawi wants, and it's going to be his meeting."
The conference would likely involve foreign ministers from major western democracies and "several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran," the paper said, without giving a possible venue for the meeting.
The report came a day after Allawi appealed to world leaders in a speech at the UN General Assembly to put aside their differences over the war and help rebuild his shattered nation.
Allawi made an impassioned appeal for international support, particularly in the fight against the "terrorists" he said were trying to wreak havoc in Iraq after the ouster of Saddam Hussein.
"Our struggle is your struggle, our victory will be your victory. And if we are defeated, it will be your defeat," he told the assembly.
"I appeal to all representatives from the countries gathered here to help Iraq defeat the forces of terrorism and help Iraq build a better future for the people of Iraq," he said.
He said his nation was facing "a struggle between the Iraqi people and its vision for the future of peace and democracy, and the terrorists and extremists and the remnants of the Saddam regime who are targeting this noble dream."
The United States has been quietly pressing for the meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week, the paper said, citing US officials and Arab and European diplomats.
The purpose of the meeting would be to lend legitimacy to Iraqi elections scheduled for January, to enlist participation by dissidents and to persuade neighboring countries not to interfere in the process.
Another aim is to reassure Iraq's neighbors that the elections will result in a representative government, the paper said.
The October conference would include Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait and other nearby countries, as well as the United States, Britain, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Russia and possibly China, the Times said.
Allawi's appearance before the world body came after a high-profile visit to Washington for talks with US President George W. Bush and other top officials, as both the United States and Iraq grapple with a major insurgency.
Facing an audience filled with many nations who bitterly opposed the US-led war, Allawi said differences about the US-led invasion, and Bush's handling of the post-war chaos, should not be an obstacle to international help.
Allawi also took aim at "foreigners who infiltrated Iraq from neighbouring countries" to take part in the insurgency that has complicated Iraq's steps toward self-rule, in particular elections scheduled for January.
"We are committed to this timeline despite the complexities and difficulties, and we are capable of meeting that deadline thanks to your help," said Allawi.
After his speech, Allawi met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who earlier this month cast doubt on whether credible elections could be held given the uncertain security situation in Iraq.
Allawi said he was confident all Iraqis would be able to take part in January's elections, rejecting fears that security issues could preclude voting in some areas.
"There is no partial election, there will be one election. All Iraqis will be able to vote," Allawi said after meeting with Annan.
"We are talking about an election in January. We are now still in September. By January, we hope that everything is settled. Every eligible Iraqi will be able to vote, everywhere in Iraq."
Earlier in the week US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said elections should go ahead even if they cannot be held in cities held by anti-US rebels, and then was contradicted by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on Friday.
In addition to help with the insurgency, Allawi said Iraq needed help from the United Nations in the trial of Saddam -- and that his country was looking for debt relief to try to spur economic development.
"Without your assistance we will not be able to reconstruct Iraq," he said. "We appeal to the donor community that pledged generous financial assistance to fulfill their obligations."