UN appoints Ad Melkert new envoy in Iraq

United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has picked Ad Melkert of the Netherlands as his special representative for Iraq. Melkert, a former Dutch Labour politician and World Bank executive, is currently the number two at the United Nations Development Program.

In a conference call from New York on Tuesday Melkert told journalists that becoming the UN envoy in the war-torn country "may be my toughest assignment yet."

Melkert (53) will be heading an organisation of circa 1,000 UN employees based in Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq. Melkert himself will be move to Baghdad before the end of the week, terminating his controversial tenure as associate administrator of the UNDP.

In that position he came under personal attack from the US ambassador at the UN and members of the US Congress, who accused him of letting UN aid money fall into the hands of the communist regime in North-Korea. An 18-month long investigation could not prove the allegations, but concluded that the UNDP for years had violated internal rules.

Melkert tried to succeed his boss Kemal Derviş as UNDP administrator, with his support, but the job went instead to the New Zealand's former prime minister Helen Clark.

Melkert was a popular minister of employment and social affairs in the Netherlands in the 1990s, but fell of his pedestal as Labour party leader in 2002. He suffered a staggering defeat in the general elections and was the target of much criticism following the murder of populist politician Pim Fortuyn, who was shot to death just a few days before the polls. Angered Fortuyn fans at the time said the murder was the result of him being "demonised" by left-wing politicians and media. Melkert stepped back as party leader and left the Netherlands for the World Bank soon after.

In Iraq, Melkert will replace the Swede Staffan de Mistur, who is moving on to become the new World Food Program's deputy executive director. Melkert's appointment is for one year, with the option of extending it after that. The position in Bagdad is still considered very dangerous. An attack on the UN headquarters there killed 22 people including the chief envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, in 2003.

The gradual departure of US troops from Iraq will "create space for the UN to play a role" in the country, Melkert said Tuesday. He added that he will focus on "supporting the economic development of Iraq", but also be involved in organising elections, helping the return of refugees and boosting dialogue with neighbouring countries.

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