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Post by bot on Jun 8, 2004 23:02:40 GMT -5
Security Council endorses formation of sovereign interim government in Iraq
09.06.2004
Resolution 1546 (2004) Adopted Unanimously
The Security Council this evening coalesced around a comprehensive resolution on Iraq, which endorsed the formation of the interim government and the holding of democratic elections by January 2005, welcomed the end of occupation by 30 June, and determined the status of the multinational force and its relationship with the Iraqi Government, as well as the role of the United Nations in the political transition.
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council, through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1546 (2004), endorsed the timetable for the political transition leading to a constitutionally elected government by 31 December 2005, as well as the convening of a national conference.
Among the several provisions concerning the multinational force, the Council decided that the force should have the authority to "take all necessary measures" to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq in accordance with the letters annexed to the resolution. (Those letters, dated 5 June, are from the Prime Minister of the Interim Government Ayad Allawi and United States Secretary of State Colin L. Powell to the Council President).
The Council welcomed the letters stating, among other things, that arrangements were being put in place to establish a "security partnership" between the sovereign Iraqi Government and the multinational force and to ensure coordination between the two. It also noted that the Government had authority to commit Iraqi security forces to the multinational force to engage in operations with it, and that the security structures described in the letters would serve as the forums for the Government and the multinational force to reach agreement on the full range of security and policy issues.
The Council also decided that the mandate for the multinational force should be reviewed at the request of the Iraqi Government or 12 months from the date of today's resolution, and that the mandate should expire upon completion of the political process. It would terminate the mandate earlier if requested by the Government of Iraq.
Also by the text, the Council decided that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), as requested by the Iraqi Government, should play a leading role in, among other tasks, the electoral process, the development of effective civil and social services, and coordination and delivery of reconstruction, development, and humanitarian assistance.
All Council members explained their position following the vote, with many referring to the consensus adoption as a milestone for both Iraq and the Security Council. The United States' representative, a lead sponsor, called the passage a vivid demonstration of broad international support for a unified Iraq. He said the resolution defined the key political task in which the United Nations should play a "leading and vital" role. It made clear that Iraq's sovereignty would be "undiluted" and that its Government would have the final say on the presence of the multinational force.
Throughout the negotiations, France's representative said he was both demanding because the stakes were considerable and constructive because he believed the unity of the international community was more necessary than ever. The final text met his demands on many points, including that the Iraqi armed forces and security forces would not be part of the multinational force and that it would be up to the Iraqi Government solely to decide whether to commit them to multinational force operations.
Regarding implementation of the mandate of the multinational force, in particular the conditions of engagement in the event of sensitive offensive operations, he said, however, that the resolution did not spell out what would happen in the event of disagreement between the interim government and the force. He would have preferred the text to mention that the final say in that case would fall to the Iraqi Government, but since that provision had not been explicitly requested by the Iraqi leaders, he was satisfied at the final adjustment made to the text.
Statements were also made by the representatives of the United Kingdom, Algeria, Pakistan, China, Germany, Russian Federation, Chile, Spain, Brazil, Romania, Angola and Benin. The representative of the Philippines, Council President for the month, spoke in his national capacity.
The meeting began at 4:45 p.m. and was adjourned at 6:11 p.m.
Background
The Security Council met this afternoon to consider the situation between Iraq and Kuwait, for which the Council had before it a draft resolution sponsored by Romania, United Kingdom and United States.
Action on Draft
The Security Council unanimously adopted the draft resolution on Iraq.
Explanations of Vote
Speaking after the vote, JOHN D. NEGROPONTE (United States) said that with today's vote, the Security Council had acknowledged an important milestone -– by 30 June, Iraq would reassert its sovereignty as a step forward on a path to a democratic government. The passage of the resolution was a vivid demonstration of broad international support for a federal, democratic, pluralistic and unified Iraq in which full respect for political and human rights prevailed.
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Post by bot on Jun 8, 2004 23:03:03 GMT -5
Earlier this week, he recalled, Mr. Brahimi briefed the Council on the formation of the interim government, which would pave the way for national elections for a Transitional National Assembly no later than January 2005. Resolution 1546 defined the key political task in which the United Nations should play a "leading and vital" role to support Iraqi efforts. The text had made clear that Iraq's sovereignty would be "undiluted" and that its Government would have the sovereign authority to request and decline assistance, including in the security sector. The Government would have the final say on the presence of the multinational force.
The resolution also addressed the current security reality and affirmed the security structures and mechanisms presently warranted, he noted. The annexed letters from Prime Minister Allawi and Secretary of State Powell had described the security partnership being put in place between the Iraqi Government and the multinational force. The international community now had a renewed opportunity to help the people of Iraq and their sovereign Government.
Undeterred by Saddam Hussein's legacy of many years of oppression and war, the Iraqi people were determined to create a new reality, he said. International assistance could and should enhance their prospects for success. The resolution called on the international community to join those already helping the talented people of Iraq. Member States should not delay in matching advice with concrete assistance. As President Bush had said, a free Iraq deserved the full support of the international community. The constructive dialogue leading to the Council's unanimous vote today should mark strengthened international resolve to work together for a democratic, secure and prosperous Iraq, and for the lasting and permanent benefits of its people.
EMYR JONES PARRY (United Kingdom) said that today's resolution marked a defining moment for Iraq. The Council had powerfully endorsed the formation of a sovereign interim government, which would assume full responsibility and authority for governing Iraq by 30 June. It was a crucial phase in Iraq's transition to full democracy. The resolution gave the Government the best possible start as it led Iraq out of occupation, and proved itself to the Iraqi people through its actions. "The promise is great -– a stable, federal, democratic, pluralistic and unified Iraq where there is full respect for human rights."
The resolution, he said, made an important contribution to Iraq's development. As well as endorsing the formation of the interim government, it set a clear path for the future political process, which would end with elections on the basis of a constitution approved by the Iraqi people. It gave the United Nations a leading role, as circumstances permit, to assist the Iraqi people in that process. It encouraged the international community to assist Iraq's reconstruction, including working towards a sustainable reduction of Iraq's debt burden.
Also, he continued, on the basis of the Iraqi Government's request for the multinational force to remain in Iraq, the resolution authorized its continued presence. The sovereign Government would be able to require a review of the force or its termination. The resolution, including the annexed letters, also set out the full partnership between the Iraqi Government and the force.
That relationship, he said, between the Iraqi Government and the force was undeniably the most complex issue in the negotiation. The resulting arrangements, stemming from discussion with the incoming interim government, made clear that Iraqi security forces, including armed forces, would be responsible to Iraqi ministers; an Iraqi led forum would set the broad Iraqi security policy framework; national, regional and local coordination mechanisms would ensure unified command for those operations to which the Iraqi Government committed its troops; and that the aim would be agreement on the full range of fundamental security and policy issues, including policy on sensitive operations.
The United Kingdom, as a member of the multinational force, stood ready to participate fully in those arrangements, he stated. It was committed to playing its part towards building security and stability in Iraq for as long as needed and as long as the Iraqi Government wished. His country was also determined to support Iraqi efforts progressively to take on responsibility for their own security.
ABDALLAH BAALI (Algeria) said that the adoption of the resolution was a historic moment for the proud Iraqi people who, after 30 years of dictatorship and 15 months of foreign occupation, would, by 30 June, recover their independence, their sovereignty and their dignity. The resolution also marked a new chapter for the Iraqi people in their legitimate quest for stability, prosperity and democracy. Yet, the future remained "loaded" with dangers and uncertainties, and the resolution just adopted was not aiming at or capable of lifting all of those.
In fact, he continued, the challenges facing the Iraqi people were formidable, and it was indeed up to them and to the governments that would lead the country until legitimate institutions were elected to make the political transition work and to make their dream of a free and democratic Iraq come true. For that to happen, Iraq had to work hard to create the necessary conditions for its people to live in peace and security, to put together a credible and self-reliant army to protect it from internal and external threats, to develop a genuine democratic process, and to use the remarkable human and natural resources that made that country so unique. It had to rebuild an economy ravaged by years of wars, sanctions and neglect, and to restore hope and confidence.
He said that the most daunting and pressing priority for the leadership of Iraq would be to reduce the level of violence and bring peace and stability to the country. Insecurity could not be successfully addressed through military means alone. He, therefore, added his voice to the appeal made by Mr. Brahimi to the Iraqi Government to reach out to those who had been vocal critics of the past year's process. In that context, the National Conference was the ideal forum to promote a meaningful dialogue, a true and national reconciliation and to build a strong consensus on Iraq's political future.
While not perfect, the resolution was undoubtedly "the best we could get under the circumstances and is indeed a well-balanced text" which, among other things, managed to reconcile two extremes, namely the concept of Iraqi sovereignty and the need to maintain on Iraqi soil the presence of an effective and fully operational multinational force requested and invited by a "Government-in-waiting".
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Post by bot on Jun 8, 2004 23:03:38 GMT -5
He said he was particularly grateful to the co-sponsors for having responded constructively and positively to four crucial demands his delegation had put forward at the very outset of the negotiations, namely: that full and undiminished sovereignty be restored to Iraq; that the Government exercise full authority and responsibility in governing Iraq, including on security issues and over its financial and natural resources; that all armed Iraqi and security forces be placed under the sole authority of the Iraqi Government; and that the Government's consent be required in respect to sensitive military operations carried out by the multinational force, as well as regarding the engagement of its own forces in multinational force operations.
MUNIR AKRAM (Pakistan) said that he had voted in favour of the resolution. The people of Iraq had suffered for decades. The resolution prepared the way for Iraq to embark on a new path towards peace and prosperity. It should mark a new era for Iraq and its people. It should also promote security and reconstruction, and revive its potential of economic growth. The text of the resolution underwent substantial transformation before becoming acceptable to all Council members. He commended the co-sponsors for the flexibility shown in the negotiations.
He said he was glad that most of the changes proposed were accommodated in the text. Those included the transfer of full sovereignty and authority to Iraq; affirmation of the independence and territorial integrity of Iraq; supremacy for the wishes of Iraq and Iraqi control over its own security forces; the presence of the multinational force at the request of the Iraqi Government; establishment of a coordination mechanism between the Force and the interim government; and adherence by all concerned to the principles of humanitarian law.
The resolution, he continued, affirmed that the United Nations must play a leading role in promoting implementation of the processes envisaged therein, he said. The endeavours of Mr. Brahimi had been outstanding, and he had performed a most difficult diplomatic feat. The resolution was a most significant step since the first Gulf War toward the full normalization of the situation in Iraq. The text indicated a timetable for the establishment of a democratically elected government and an end to the presence of the multinational force.
However, he noted, the security situation remained volatile and unstable. He hoped that following the transfer of sovereignty, the security environment would improve significantly. The problem of insecurity could not be solved through military means alone. Political solutions were required to achieve military stability. He hoped the interim government would benefit from international assistance to broaden political consensus and make all efforts to bring all groups under the tent.
Peace and stability in Iraq would no doubt reinforce stability in the region, he added. As a regional State, Pakistan looked forward to an Iraq at peace with itself and its neighbours. The support of its neighbours, and Arab and Islamic countries would be an important component in realizing its economic, political and security goals.
WANG GUANGYA (China) said that today was an important day for the Iraqi people and the United Nations. The resolution was a milestone and would usher in a historical turning point in the Iraqi political process and a new page in the relationship between Iraq and the United Nations. The text would also further strengthen the authority and rule of the Security Council. The Iraqi people were industrious and talented and had made brilliant contributions to human civilization. But, for more than a decade, they had suffered from wars and turbulence.
He said that the resolution just adopted had undoubtedly laid a foundation for the early fulfilment of their aspirations. It had endorsed the formation of the interim government and reaffirmed the right of Iraqis to determine their own political future and control over their natural and economic resources, among other things. With adoption of the text, he looked forward to 30 June, which would witness the full assumption of sovereignty and the return of Iraq to the family of nations.
Hopefully, he said, with the broad support of the Iraqi people and the unstinting assistance of the international community, the Iraqi Government would conform to its obligations, take measures towards stability and security, promote reconciliation and hold free and fair elections on schedule. With the transfer of sovereignty, the great Iraqi people would make unremitting efforts to remove all obstacles and resume the path towards peace, democracy and development, as well as make regional contributions and advance the goals of civilization overall.
For the past 10 years, Iraq had been a focus of the Security Council, with the adoption of more than 70 resolutions, he noted. In the process of arriving at an appropriate settlement, there had been times of close cooperation and deep divisions. He was pleased that the Council now stood unified again in response to the appeals of the Iraqi people. The resolution had been the result of joint efforts by all Council members, and that would turn the relationship between the United Nations and Iraq into one of partnership with shared objectives.
Indeed, he said, today's action was a new beginning for both the Council and Iraq, though implementation would be fraught with challenges. As long as all parties put the interest of the Iraqi people first, implementation would certainly help improve the security situation, advance the political process, and promote post-war reconstruction.
JEAN-MARC DE LA SABLIÈRE (France) said he had voted in favour of the resolution. France had approached the discussion on the resolution with three goals for the Iraqi people and the United Nations: first, to ensure that the Iraqi interim government would have all the attributes of sovereignty and complete authority to govern the country after 30 June, in spite of the need to maintain a very large foreign military presence; second, to give the Iraqi people credible assurances that the political process was continuing and that the presence of foreign troops was temporary and limited in time to clarify the political horizon of the Iraqi people and assure them that the coming transition period would end as soon as possible; and third, to entrust a mandate to the United Nations which guaranteed the credibility of the Organization and which was realistic in light of what it could do in the present circumstances in Iraq.
The first two elements were essential for the Iraqis to support the current political process and have confidence in the new Iraqi Government, he said. The third allowed for the role of the United Nations to be preserved in the settlement of crises and, to the extent possible, for the security of those who would act in the Organization's name in the field.
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Post by bot on Jun 8, 2004 23:04:05 GMT -5
France had emphasized, from the first informal consultations in the Council, the importance it gave to the mandate that the Council would entrust to the United Nations and the legal framework for the action of the multinational force. On the first point, the aim was to allow the Iraqis to take maximum advantage of United Nations expertise in the extension of the action of Mr. Brahimi and Ms. Perelli, while taking into account the security conditions. He was pleased that a consensus had been reached in the Council on that issue.
On the second point, he said that the aim was to take account of the change resulting from the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty to retool the mandate of the multinational force, while spelling it out clearly in the framework of international law.
Throughout the negotiations, France was both demanding, because the stakes were considerable, and constructive, because it believed the unity of the international community was more necessary than ever. The final text met his delegation's demands on many points. The Iraqi interim government would have complete responsibility and authority to govern the country; the various stages in the political process had been endorsed by the resolution, specifically the timetable for elections and for the end of the transition period, no later than the end of 2005; and the sovereign government might at any time ask for the mandate of the multinational force to be revised or ended, and that request would be binding on the Security Council.
Also, he said, the resolution clearly stated that from now on, the Iraqi armed forces and security forces would not be part of the multinational force. They were to be placed under the sole authority of the Iraqi Government and it would be up to the Government to decide whether to commit them, if it deemed it necessary or desirable, to multinational force operations. France had insisted on those last two points so that the relationship between the interim government and the Force would reflect the sovereignty that the interim government would have after 1 July.
However, regarding the implementation of the mandate of the force, in particular the conditions of engagement in the event of sensitive offensive operations, the resolution stated that the interim government and the force would have to reach an agreement. But it did not spell out what would happen in the event of disagreement. That was why France would have preferred the text to mention that the final say in that case would fall to the Iraqi government. As that provision was not explicitly requested by the Iraqi leaders, he was satisfied at the final adjustment made to the paragraph regarding the arrangements.
GUNTER PLEUGER (Germany) said he welcomed the unanimous adoption of the resolution, as a result of proposals and amendments made by various Council members -- not least by the imaginative and constructive approach of the French-German amendments, which had been largely included in the text, along with suggestions by the Iraqi side. Thanks also to the co-sponsors in the course of the negotiations, the text had been substantially improved.
He said his country supported the resolution as an important step towards the restoration of full sovereignty of the Iraqi interim government in all relevant areas and towards Iraqi ownership. It did so, in particular, in view of the clarifications with regard to the security partnership between the interim government and the multinational force, as spelled out in the body of the resolution and in the letters of Prime Minister Allawi and Secretary of State Powell.
It was of crucial importance now that the resolution was implemented with unequivocal respect for the full sovereignty of Iraq, he stressed. Regional and international support for the Iraqi people was equally essential. It was in that spirit that Germany stood ready to cooperate with the new Iraqi authorities in the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq.
ALEXANDER KONUZIN (Russian Federation) said he had supported the resolution adopted today, which marked a milestone in Iraq's history. During the negotiations, the Council had managed to work out a decision culminating in the end of the occupation and the transfer of full sovereignty. Now there was the prospect of enhancing the United Nations contribution in the developing political process. The resolution unequivocally affirmed the right of Iraqis to determine their political future and control their natural resources.
He welcomed the inclusion of the provisions on incorporating opposition elements in the political process and on the need for all parties to comply with all international humanitarian norms. It was important to have a timeline for the political process and national elections in January 2005, leading to the formation of a transitional government. Russia, before adopting the resolution, had suggested an international conference with the parties of all influential Iraqi forces, as well as Iraq's neighbours and members of the Security Council. That proposal was "still in force". He called on the Iraqi leadership to look at the convening of that type of meeting.
It was important that provisions of the resolution be adopted on the basis of relevant requests of the interim government, including the deployment of the multinational force and the provision of international assistance. Under the resolution, the United Nations would need to meet some serious challenges in Iraq. The Organization would only be able to meet those challenges if the necessary level of security was provided. The key provision pertained to the mandate of the multinational force, which was clearly linked to the timeline of the political process. It was clear that their presence depended on the consensus of the Iraqi Government and their function was to provide security during the transitional period. There should be a coordinating mechanism to lay out the partnership between the Government and the force. All of the work of the force must be done in agreement with Iraqi authorities.
Since the problem of weapons of mass destruction was the cause of the beginning of the war in Iraq, it could not be left unattended, he said. He hoped that work could begin soon on adapting the mandate of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the new conditions in the country. The Council had also endowed the Iraqi Government with economic sovereignty during the transitional period. He emphasized the need to ensure a fair and transparent approach regarding the Iraqi Development Fund and compliance with obligations in accordance with prioritized contracts from the former Iraq Programme. His country was continuing to provide assistance to the restoration of the Iraqi economy.
Only time would tell whether the adoption of the resolution would mark a turnaround for Iraq, he stated. Much would depend on whether Iraqis themselves sensed a transformation from occupation to full sovereignty. The resolution would help pool the efforts of the international community for a real settlement of Iraq, which remained "a bleeding wound" in the region and in the world.
HERALDO MU--OZ (Chile) said that no negotiation produced a perfect result for all the parties concerned or satisfied all aspirations or amendments. He thanked the openness of the process provided by the sponsors, as well as the constructive attitude of all the Council colleagues. "It is a good resolution. We are satisfied. It is the best resolution that could be agreed given the circumstances on the ground and recent history", he said.
Hopefully, he said, the resolution would help the Iraqi people and the Government. At the end of the day, the future of the Iraqis was what truly mattered, and to that purpose, that good resolution might indeed contribute. Its success would be proven in the reaction in world public opinion and on the streets of Baghdad.
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Post by bot on Jun 8, 2004 23:04:31 GMT -5
The resolution was the "theoretical underpinning" of the new phase in Iraq, he said. It remained to be seen how that would translate into practice into a sovereign Government that effectively constructed its own future. Violence in Iraq would not stop automatically with the resolution, or with the assumption of the interim Iraqi Government on 30 June. There would be a difficult process of peace construction, which would become stronger as Iraqis elected their government democratically in January 2005 and ran their country in all aspects and all spheres. In the recent difficult period, Chile had consistently supported the multilateral approach. Today, the United Nations was again taking up its role and would be the centre of gravity in assisting Iraq.
JUAN ANTONIO YA--EZ-BARNUEVO (Spain) said he had voted in favour of the resolution. It was not the ideal resolution. He would have wanted the United Nations to have assumed military leadership in the transition phase. On 1 July, the interim government would recover the exercise of its sovereignty, which should be understood in the broadest sense. Spain would not remain indifferent to Iraq's present and future. Iraq would enjoy Spain's full support to ensure a stable and prosperous nation. Spain would support whatever action was taken by the United Nations, the European Union or others to provide a framework for international cooperation to ensure that Iraqis regained full sovereignty and organized free and democratic elections.
Spain had been defending a more ambitious role for the United Nations in Iraq, he said. Today, the United Nations would act to assist the transitional government in preparing for the electoral process. One essential element of the resolution related to the security structure. In that regard, he hoped that the security agreement concluded between the Government and the multinational force fully respected the sovereignty of Iraq and was a true reflection of the principle of authority that should preside over relations between the interim government and the force. He also hoped an agreement was entered into quickly to affirm the role of the interim government when sensitive operations were carried out.
His country had always supported the role played by countries in the region for the reinsertion of Iraq into the international community. He believed it positive to have an international conference, to be convened when the Government deemed it appropriate. He noted that funds from the Development Fund for Iraq could be provided to the interim government on a discretionary basis. Also, the resolution enshrined an extension of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board.
On the humanitarian front, he was pleased at the reference in the preambular section of the text for all parties to observe international humanitarian law. He would have liked the inclusion of that provision in the operative section as well. Also, it was important that the resolution, as requested by Spain and others, did contain 30 December 2005 as the deadline for the transitional political process to conclude and the end of the presence of the multinational force. The presence of the Force in Iraq should be as restricted over time as possible.
RONALDO MOTA SARDENBERG (Brazil) said the resolution marked the end of occupation and the reassertion of all prerogatives of full sovereignty by the interim government by 30 June. He had participated in the negotiations leading to the adoption of the text in a constructive spirit. Bearing in mind the importance of the Council's decision for the evolving situation on the ground in Iraq and for the high relevance in terms of the expectations of the international community, the overriding objective had been to make the resolution a good one.
In that endeavour, he said, together with Chile and Spain, his delegation had presented several amendments to the draft, which had been mainly aimed at sharpening the text and clarifying the situation that would be created by the establishment of a new political and legal reality. Among other points, Brazil had striven to stress the transfer of full sovereign authority to the interim government, establish the United Nations as a partner with that government, and give the Organization a leading role in carrying out its tasks. It had also sought to emphasize the importance of international obligations in the areas of human rights and humanitarian law, establish Iraqi control over the country's security forces, and differentiate the presence of the multinational force before and after the end of occupation. It had also wanted to clearly define the scope and presence and the reach of the force's mandate in the area of security.
During the negotiations, Brazil had supported important proposals by other members and he had been pleased that many had been reflected in the text. He had also been satisfied by the flexibility shown by the original co-sponsors, particularly in those last days as consultations intensified. The end result had not been the best possible conceivable outcome, as many had said, but in practical terms, the resolution was possibly the best outcome for the negotiation process given the circumstances.
MIHNEA IOAN MOTOC (Romania) said he had supported and co-sponsored the text for three reasons. First, it was in his country's national interest to see that its contribution to peace in Iraq was duly recognized. He pursued with particular resolve the Council working out an essential role for the United Nations in fostering the political process and mobilizing further the assistance of the international community. Romania was part of the multinational force, but also shared the task of preparing the future Iraqi security forces.
The second reason, he said, had to do with the approach followed by the Council to properly reflect the transfer of full sovereignty and chart the way ahead for the political process in Iraq. He did not know of any delegation that did not come forward with ideas and suggestions to improve the text. What he saw was effective multilateralism in action during the negotiations. Thirdly, he wanted to see that the resolution was most thoroughly "consensualized" inside and outside the Council. With the transfer of sovereignty on 30 June, an important step would be taken to move forward with the political process in Iraq.
ISMAEL ABRAÃO GASPAR MARTINS (Angola) said he was proud to have been part of the consensus. With the unanimous adoption of the text, justice had been done to the vitality of multilateralism. When things looked so dark in Iraq, the United Nations played its vital and unifying role and was now poised to come out of the crisis stronger and ready to act in providing answers when needed. The resolution had clearly provided for a partnership of the Iraqis and the international community, and represented a clear departure from past resolutions on Iraq.
He said he was grateful to the sponsors for the spirit of give and take, which had characterized the negotiations and resulted in a better and clear resolution and a stronger Security Council. The resolution provided for the restoration of full sovereignty, based on Iraq's full independence and the right of its people to determine their own political future and control their natural resources.
The resolution had also recognized the need for the continued presence of the multinational force in partnership with the Iraqi parties and in full respect for their sovereignty, as well as for the presence of the United Nations in the political process including beyond the elections, he said. The international community's continued support, as well as that of Iraq's neighbours, was critical to helping the Iraqis meet the challenges ahead. The text had stressed that important point and Mr. Brahimi had reinforced and reminded the Council of the importance of that support.
JOËL W. ADECHI (Benin) said the resolution paved the way for the effective restoration of Iraqi sovereignty. He was pleased with the positive negotiations leading up to the resolution, which created the framework for the end of the occupation, the full sovereignty of Iraq, and conditions in which the multinational force would do its work in the country. Henceforth, it was up to the Iraqi Government to take on its responsibility and make sure that the machinery put in place worked properly.
He called on Iraq to do all it could to achieve the support of all Iraqis, and so that elections would have the credibility it needed. He launched an appeal to the international community to provide as much assistance as possible to enable Iraq to overcome its difficulties. Iraq's neighbours should also make joint efforts to stabilize the situation on the ground.
LAURO L. BAJA, JR. (Philippines), Council President, speaking in his national capacity, said that yesterday, the Council had been divided on Iraq; today it was united on Iraq. That was a great day for Iraq, the United Nations, the Security Council and the international community. His delegation was pleased to have presided over action on that eloquent expression, which had validated his country's position of unwavering support for a free, democratic and united Iraq.
Council members could congratulate themselves for the house built for Iraq and for the unanimous adoption of the resolution, which had laid the foundations for a lasting edifice, he said. The challenge now was for Iraq and the international community to translate the text into action. He was confident that in the present atmosphere in the Council and the interest and concern elicited from many States, success could be achieved. He was pleased to have been part of the negotiations on that historic text and to have supported it.
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