Annan to U.S. - 'Democracy cannot be imposed'

UNITED NATIONS -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the United States Monday to quickly restore control of Iraq to its people, warning that "democracy can't be imposed from the outside."

In the 23-page report to the Security Council, Annan also noted concerns about the U.S. treatment of Iraqi detainees and the failure to improve security in Baghdad.

While Annan welcomed the creation of a U.S.-picked Iraqi Governing Council, he wrote that Iraqis had expressed "an overwhelming demand for self-rule."

"It is important that Iraqis are able to see a clear timetable leading to the full restoration of sovereignty," Annan wrote.

The critical tone of the report was unlikely to help U.S. efforts to win support for an international peacekeeping force that could relieve overburdened American troops in Iraq.

U.S. diplomats offered a cautious initial assessment.

"We certainly agree that Iraqis should be in charge of their own country and we are working hard to do that and that's why the governing council is a good first step," said Richard Grenell, spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations.

Annan was softer on the Americans when he spoke with reporters Monday, ahead of a meeting with U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte.

"I think, given the circumstances, and the fact that you couldn't possibly organize elections in Iraq today, it was a good method of putting together a council and I hope the Security Council will see it that way and grant the group its support," Annan said.

His report came a day ahead of a U.N. Security Council meeting on Iraq to be attended by the U.N. chief, his special envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello and three members of the Iraqi council.

The delegation will include Ahmed Chalabi -- once favored by the Pentagon to be Iraq's next president -- Adnan Pachachi, a former Iraqi foreign minister, and Akila Hashami of the Iraqi foreign ministry.

The council, organized to eventually take control of Iraq, plans to declare itself the sovereign representative of Iraq at the United Nations.

The move could satisfy potential peacekeeping donors such as France and India who are reluctant to send forces while the United States and Britain remain solely in charge.

The Iraqi Governing Council will be able to pick ministers for a new administration and hold other powers, but U.S. administrators will have ultimate say.

Annan wrote that it was important to achieve "Iraqi ownership of the political process."

The report offers U.N. help to Iraqis in defining the priorities and policies that will shape the future of the country. But throughout the report, Annan emphasizes the importance of Iraqi sovereignty. "There is an overwhelming demand for self-rule and democracy cannot be imposed from the outside."

Much of the report is based on Vieira de Mello's observations and discussions with U.S. officials in Baghdad, including L. Paul Bremer, the U.S. occupation governor for Iraq.

Viera de Mello complained to Bremer last week, Annan wrote, about the "treatment of detainees and the conditions under which they were held in detention."

The report also expresses concerns about the living conditions and "precarious security situation" in the capital, which was been plagued by crime and sabotage.

Annan also offered the United States assistance in a host of areas including demining, and police training. But Annan ruled out the possibility of a U.N. police force working side-by-side with U.S. troops.

"Such an action would create a parallel system of law enforcement which would not be effective in promoting law and order."