August 4, 2010
With Successful Elections, Iraq Has Embarked on ‘Historic Path’ to Shape Future,but Delays Forming Government Real Test for Transition, Security Council Told
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq called on that country’s leaders to show a “higher sense of urgency” in forming a new Government through an inclusive process, while urging continued support for the country from the international community, as he addressed the Security Council this morning.
Moreover, he said, all major political parties were making extensive contacts in order to hold a fruitful session of the newly elected Council of Representatives, in which the new Speaker would be elected. The President would then ask the new Prime Minister to form a Government, based on the provisions of the constitution, a process he hoped would be undertaken without delay. In the field of development, the Government launched on 4 July a national development plan for the 2010-2014 period, which included some 2,700 strategic projects in various sectors valued at $186 billion.
The most important issue, however, was to get rid of the burden of Chapter VII, he said, and Iraq would follow two courses. The first dealt with issues concerning the situation in Iraq; the second with issues relating to the situation between Iraq and Kuwait. Because of the importance of the latter, there had been a common understanding to consider that path only after the formation of the new Iraqi Government. “We are keen that the movement on this path will be in consultation and coordination with our Kuwaiti brothers in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions,” he said.
He said a letter sent to the Security Council President and Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 18 January explained steps taken to fulfil all remaining obligations regarding disarmament, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, and had requested the Council to consider immediately lifting all restrictions imposed under Council resolutions in those areas. Given the positive international response, Iraq had expected the Council to issue a resolution lifting the restrictions. However, that had not happened.
In that regard, he also pointed to Iraq’s plans to adhere to the Optional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between Iraq and the Agency, and he said that a national committee of experts had been set up for the liquidation of chemical residues of the former chemical weapons programme, and on 13 July, the Government joined The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation.
He also outlined his Government’s efforts to deal with the remaining contracts from the oil-for-food programme and other financial claims inherited from the former regime, as well as settling its sovereign debts. He said Iraq was serious about disposing its Chapter VII provisions, financial and other burdens that affected its sovereignty. In that regard, he requested the Council to “liberate” Iraq from all restrictions, which would enable the country to exercise its role as an effective member of the global community.
Iraq, he said, looked forward to UNAMI becoming more effective and influential through the return of United Nations specialized agencies, funds and programmes to the country. While reiterating its desire to extend the UNAMI mandate, the Government hoped the mission would provide support and assistance through a specific mechanism with prior approval from the Government.
The meeting began at 10:07 a.m. and ended at 10:40 a.m., at which time the Council immediately went into consultations on Iraq, as previously arranged.
Background
As the Security Council met today, it had before it the Secretary-General’s report pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1883 (2009) (document S/2010/406), providing an update on United Nations activities in Iraq since 14 May 2010, on key political developments and on the activities of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq.
As Iraq remained an “extremely complex operating environment”, the safety and security of United Nations personnel continued to be a concern, the report says. The planned drawdown of United States forces would inevitably impact the Organization. UNAMI was identifying new and alternative arrangements to ensure and enhance its operational capacity in the future. That would require strong financial support from Member States. The United Nations was committed to implementing its mandate and working in consultation with the Iraqi Government.
While the successful conclusion of the national electoral process on 2 June and convening of the new Council of Representatives on 14 June were key milestones in Iraq’s democratic transition, the report notes that delays in the Government formation process had contributed to a growing sense of uncertainty. That risked undermining confidence in the political process, and elements opposed to democratic transition could try to exploit the situation. Thus, the Secretary-General urged all political bloc leaders to work together through an inclusive and broadly participatory process to end the present impasse.
Once the Government formation process had been completed, it was imperative for the new Government, with the Council of Representatives, make national reconciliation a priority and begin to address the many outstanding political and constitutional challenges, including Arab-Kurdish relations, revenue-sharing, and the adoption of hydrocarbons legislation, among other things. Encouraging compromise in disputed areas would greatly contribute to stability and the Secretary-General was encouraged by progress being made in talks assisted by UNAMI to end the impasse over the boycott of the Ninewa Provincial Council by Kurdish parties.
Another matter requiring attention, the report says, was the need for the new Government to fulfil outstanding obligations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, notably issues related to Kuwait, as soon as possible. He called on Iraq to confirm its commitment to Security Council resolution 883 (1993), and strongly encouraged Iraq’s neighbours to engage the new Government in addressing issues of mutual concern. To speed the pace of development and reconstruction, the Secretary-General urged commitment by the Government, the United Nations and the international community in the spirit of the Millennium Development Goals. Priorities identified in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and continuing humanitarian response programmes would require more resources from international donors.
With Successful Elections, Iraq Has Embarked on ‘Historic Path’ to Shape Future,but Delays Forming Government Real Test for Transition, Security Council Told
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq called on that country’s leaders to show a “higher sense of urgency” in forming a new Government through an inclusive process, while urging continued support for the country from the international community, as he addressed the Security Council this morning.
Moreover, he said, all major political parties were making extensive contacts in order to hold a fruitful session of the newly elected Council of Representatives, in which the new Speaker would be elected. The President would then ask the new Prime Minister to form a Government, based on the provisions of the constitution, a process he hoped would be undertaken without delay. In the field of development, the Government launched on 4 July a national development plan for the 2010-2014 period, which included some 2,700 strategic projects in various sectors valued at $186 billion.
The most important issue, however, was to get rid of the burden of Chapter VII, he said, and Iraq would follow two courses. The first dealt with issues concerning the situation in Iraq; the second with issues relating to the situation between Iraq and Kuwait. Because of the importance of the latter, there had been a common understanding to consider that path only after the formation of the new Iraqi Government. “We are keen that the movement on this path will be in consultation and coordination with our Kuwaiti brothers in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions,” he said.
He said a letter sent to the Security Council President and Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 18 January explained steps taken to fulfil all remaining obligations regarding disarmament, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, and had requested the Council to consider immediately lifting all restrictions imposed under Council resolutions in those areas. Given the positive international response, Iraq had expected the Council to issue a resolution lifting the restrictions. However, that had not happened.
In that regard, he also pointed to Iraq’s plans to adhere to the Optional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between Iraq and the Agency, and he said that a national committee of experts had been set up for the liquidation of chemical residues of the former chemical weapons programme, and on 13 July, the Government joined The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation.
He also outlined his Government’s efforts to deal with the remaining contracts from the oil-for-food programme and other financial claims inherited from the former regime, as well as settling its sovereign debts. He said Iraq was serious about disposing its Chapter VII provisions, financial and other burdens that affected its sovereignty. In that regard, he requested the Council to “liberate” Iraq from all restrictions, which would enable the country to exercise its role as an effective member of the global community.
Iraq, he said, looked forward to UNAMI becoming more effective and influential through the return of United Nations specialized agencies, funds and programmes to the country. While reiterating its desire to extend the UNAMI mandate, the Government hoped the mission would provide support and assistance through a specific mechanism with prior approval from the Government.
The meeting began at 10:07 a.m. and ended at 10:40 a.m., at which time the Council immediately went into consultations on Iraq, as previously arranged.
Background
As the Security Council met today, it had before it the Secretary-General’s report pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1883 (2009) (document S/2010/406), providing an update on United Nations activities in Iraq since 14 May 2010, on key political developments and on the activities of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq.
As Iraq remained an “extremely complex operating environment”, the safety and security of United Nations personnel continued to be a concern, the report says. The planned drawdown of United States forces would inevitably impact the Organization. UNAMI was identifying new and alternative arrangements to ensure and enhance its operational capacity in the future. That would require strong financial support from Member States. The United Nations was committed to implementing its mandate and working in consultation with the Iraqi Government.
While the successful conclusion of the national electoral process on 2 June and convening of the new Council of Representatives on 14 June were key milestones in Iraq’s democratic transition, the report notes that delays in the Government formation process had contributed to a growing sense of uncertainty. That risked undermining confidence in the political process, and elements opposed to democratic transition could try to exploit the situation. Thus, the Secretary-General urged all political bloc leaders to work together through an inclusive and broadly participatory process to end the present impasse.
Once the Government formation process had been completed, it was imperative for the new Government, with the Council of Representatives, make national reconciliation a priority and begin to address the many outstanding political and constitutional challenges, including Arab-Kurdish relations, revenue-sharing, and the adoption of hydrocarbons legislation, among other things. Encouraging compromise in disputed areas would greatly contribute to stability and the Secretary-General was encouraged by progress being made in talks assisted by UNAMI to end the impasse over the boycott of the Ninewa Provincial Council by Kurdish parties.
Another matter requiring attention, the report says, was the need for the new Government to fulfil outstanding obligations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, notably issues related to Kuwait, as soon as possible. He called on Iraq to confirm its commitment to Security Council resolution 883 (1993), and strongly encouraged Iraq’s neighbours to engage the new Government in addressing issues of mutual concern. To speed the pace of development and reconstruction, the Secretary-General urged commitment by the Government, the United Nations and the international community in the spirit of the Millennium Development Goals. Priorities identified in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and continuing humanitarian response programmes would require more resources from international donors.
