Iraq The Power Struggle: Lakhdar Brahimi: Security ... Is Just Impossible

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HOW DOES THIS EFFORT COMPARE WITH YOUR PREVIOUS TRIPS TO IRAQ? I ASSUME THIS IS LOGISTICALLY FAR MORE DIFFICULT. The security situation is just impossible. The United Nations is not the United Nations if the doors are not open and if you cannot walk in the streets. If I might say so, what I have is the capability of walking in the streets and talking to people. Under normal circumstances, this is what I bring. The fact that I'm from this part of the world, and the fact that I know this part of the world and have lived around here and worked around here for the past 40 years--that is all gone.

YOU MUST FEEL VERY COOPED UP, VERY CLOSED IN. I am closed in. It is not just a feeling. We do try to get a feel for what's happening on the ground through people who come to see us. But we miss something by not going out ourselves. Normally I would be out every evening having dinner at the houses of people I've known for a long time. But I cannot go out now.

IS THIS THE TOUGHEST TASK YOU'VE EVER HAD TO TACKLE? Perhaps. Generally when we are asked to come in and fix a situation, it is because it is tough.