UN passes unanimous resolution on Iraq

The UN Security Council has unanimously endorsed the new leadership and paved the way for Iraqis to assume “full responsibility and authority” for their country, including decisions on security matters, at the end of the month.

In a 15-0 vote, the Council adopted a resolution welcoming the end of the Coalition occupation of Iraq by 30 June and the dissolution of the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), so enabling Iraq to “reassert its full sovereignty”.

The Council decided that the US-led multinational force’s mandate in the region could be reviewed or terminated should the Iraqis ask, but will nonetheless expire once a permanent government is constitutionally elected by the end of 2005.

A separate force under the command of the multi-national force will also be created to provide security for the UN presence in Iraq, and member states will be asked to provide "the necessary resources, including contributions to that force".

The resolution gave Iraqis authority over oil and gas revenues collected for the Development Fund for Iraq, although the International Advisory and Monitoring Board, with an Iraqi representative, will continue to audit the account.

Speaking to reporters after the vote, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he believed the resolution was a “genuine expression” of the international community’s will “to come together again after last year’s divisions and to help the Iraqi people take charge of their own political destiny, in peace and freedom, under a sovereign government of their choosing”.

The Council’s resolution also highlighted a “leading role” for the world body in helping Iraq convene a national conference in July to select a Consultative Council, advise and support the new authorities on the process for holding elections, scheduled for January 2005, and promote national dialogue and consensus on the drafting of a new constitution.

Speaking ahead of the vote at the G8 conference in the southern US state of Georgia yesterday, President George Bush said he was delighted by developments.

"There were some who said we'd never get one, and it looks like if things go well, it will be a unanimous vote - thereby saying to the world that members of the Security Council are interested in working together to make sure that Iraq is free and peaceful and democratic. I think this is a very important moment on the - on making sure that our objective is achieved," he said.

A free Iraq will serve as a catalyst for change in the broader Middle East, and play an important part in winning the war on terror, he added.

(gmcg)