Few Cheers Reported in Baghdad for New Security Council Resolution on Post-Sovereign Iraq as Kurdish Minority Threatens Revolt

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Few Cheers Reported in Baghdad for New Security Council Resolution on Post-Sovereign Iraq as Kurdish Minority Threatens Revolt

International Community Gives Cautious Welcome To Iraq UN Resolution as Violence Raged On

Security Council Unanimously Endorses Formation of Interim Iraqi Government

Text of the UN Security Council Resolution 1546 (2004) Adopted by All 15 Members

The United Nation Security Council resolution formally ending the occupation of Iraq is reported to have drawn few cheers in Baghdad, where sceptical Iraqis consumed by security fears and economic hardship told international media outlets that they knew nothing about it. Reuters news agency quoted civilians on the streets of the Iraqi capital who asked whether the resolution would give them electricity or water, complained that they were not involved in any of the decisions and shrugged off the resolution as not granting them sovereignty anyway.

That pessimism was echoed in the sacred Shiite city of Kerbala, where militiamen loyal to rebel cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have challenged US troops. Kerbala residents were quoted as saying that the resolution will not stop the violence precisely because it does not give Iraqis full sovereignty. While many expressed ambivalence at the resolution, Kurdish leaders are alarmed, saying it did nothing to recognize the autonomy granted to the Kurds in three provinces of northern Iraq in the interim constitution signed in March, and threatening to quit the new interim government.

The Americans and the British turned down the Kurds' request to have a reference to the interim constitution – which enshrines Kurdish federalism – included in the UN resolution approved Tuesday after Shiite leaders warned that they would not accept such a mention. The British news daily The Guardian asserted Wednesday that the resolution is unlikely to make Iraq a safer place for foreign troops to operate nor will it alter Iraqi perceptions about the nature of the occupation.

(Radio Havana Cuba, June 9)

The international community, meanwhile, also gave cautious welcome to the Iraq resolution – saying, as the violence raged on, that its effectiveness will have to be judged by its capacity to bring stability to the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the deal "a major step forward," but added: "Naturally, it will take quite a long time before this adoption of the document will have any impact on the real change on the ground in Iraq." European Commission chief Romano Prodi said the resolution "has to be judged on its capacity to create a new situation with respect to the chaos, not necessarily tomorrow morning but reasonably soon."

The caution came as insurgents ambushed a US military convoy in Baghdad and blew up another fuel line. Assailants in a speeding car Wednesday raked the convoy, setting ablaze a truck, after which a crowd gathered cursing the firemen dousing the blaze and demanding they let it burn. Saboteurs ruptured overnight an oil pipeline linking Iraq's largest fuel refinery north of Baghdad to a 400-megawatt power station that caused a huge blackout. The sabotage followed another attack Sunday on the Kirkuk-Turkey pipeline, Iraq's main oil export artery from the north, causing world oil prices to shoot higher.

And US tanks have taken up positions again around Fallujah and appeared to be preparing to enter the Iraqi city following an attack overnight on Iraqi security forces charged with imposing security. It was the first time guerrillas have attacked General Mohammed Latif's Fallujah Brigade since it set out to pacify Iraq's most rebellious town last month following fierce fighting between US troops and insurgents. Officers in the force said 12 were killed and 10 wounded in the attack.

(Radio Havana Cuba, June 9)

UN News Service, June 8, 2004

A week after the formation of an interim government of Iraq, the United Nations Security Council today 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 occupation of Iraq by 30 June and the dissolution of the United States-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) at that time, enabling Iraq to "reassert its full sovereignty."

Speaking to reporters after the Council action, 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 text spelled out a "leading role" for the United Nations to help 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.

In addition, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's yet-to-be named Special Representative and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) were tasked with helping the Government develop civil and social services, coordinating reconstruction, development and humanitarian assistance, promoting the protection of human rights, and helping the authorities plan for a census.

On security matters, the Council, noting that the US-led multinational force (MNF) is in Iraq at the request of the incoming interim Government, decided that the Force's mandate 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.

The text welcomed recent letters from Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and US Secretary of State Colin Powell stating that arrangements are being put in place to establish a "security partnership" between the Iraqi Government, which will have command over Iraqi security forces, and the MNF and to ensure coordination between the two.

The Council also noted the intention of creating a separate force under the command of the MNF dedicated to providing security for the UN presence in Iraq, and called on countries 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.

The full text of resolution 1546 (2004) reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Welcoming the beginning of a new phase in Iraq’s transition to a democratically elected government, and looking forward to the end of the occupation and the assumption of full responsibility and authority by a fully sovereign and independent Interim Government of Iraq by 30 June 2004,

"Recalling all of its previous relevant resolutions on Iraq,

"Reaffirming the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Iraq,

"Reaffirming also the right of the Iraqi people freely to determine their own political future and control their own natural resources,

"Recognizing the importance of international support, particularly that of countries in the region, Iraq’s neighbours, and regional organizations, for the people of Iraq in their efforts to achieve security and prosperity, and noting that the successful implementation of this resolution will contribute to regional stability,

"Welcoming the efforts of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General to assist the people of Iraq in achieving the formation of the Interim Government of Iraq, as set out in the letter of the Secretary-General of 7 June 2004 (S/2004/461),

"Taking note of the dissolution of the Governing Council of Iraq, and welcoming the progress made in implementing the arrangements for Iraq’s political transition referred to in resolution 1511 (2003) of 16 October 2003,

"Welcoming the commitment of the Interim Government of Iraq to work towards a federal, democratic, pluralist, and unified Iraq, in which there is full respect for political and human rights,

"Stressing the need for all parties to respect and protect Iraq’s archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious heritage,

"Affirming the importance of the rule of law, national reconciliation, respect for human rights including the rights of women, fundamental freedoms, and democracy including free and fair elections,

"Recalling the establishment of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on 14 August 2003, and affirming that the United Nations should play a leading role in assisting the Iraqi people and government in the formation of institutions for representative government,

"Recognizing that international support for restoration of stability and security is essential to the well-being of the people of Iraq as well as to the ability of all concerned to carry out their work on behalf of the people of Iraq, and welcoming Member State contributions in this regard under resolution 1483 (2003) of 22 May 2003 and resolution 1511 (2003),

"Recalling the report provided by the United States to the Security Council on 16 April 2004 on the efforts and progress made by the multinational force,

"Recognizing the request conveyed in the letter of 5 June 2004 from the Prime Minister of the Interim Government of Iraq to the President of the Council, which is annexed to this resolution, to retain the presence of the multinational force,

"Recognizing also the importance of the consent of the sovereign Government of Iraq for the presence of the multinational force and of close coordination between the multinational force and that government,

"Welcoming the willingness of the multinational force to continue efforts to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq in support of the political transition, especially for upcoming elections, and to provide security for the United Nations presence in Iraq, as described in the letter of 5 June 2004 from the United States Secretary of State to the President of the Council, which is annexed to this resolution,

"Noting the commitment of all forces promoting the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq to act in accordance with international law, including obligations under international humanitarian law, and to cooperate with relevant international organizations,

"Affirming the importance of international assistance in reconstruction and development of the Iraqi economy,

"Recognizing the benefits to Iraq of the immunities and privileges enjoyed by Iraqi oil revenues and by the Development Fund for Iraq, and noting the importance of providing for continued disbursements of this fund by the Interim Government of Iraq and its successors upon dissolution of the Coalition Provisional Authority,

"Determining that the situation in Iraq continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

"Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

"1.   Endorses the formation of a sovereign Interim Government of Iraq, as presented on 1 June 2004, which will assume full responsibility and authority by 30 June 2004 for governing Iraq while refraining from taking any actions affecting Iraq’s destiny beyond the limited interim period until an elected Transitional Government of Iraq assumes office as envisaged in paragraph four below;

"2.   Welcomes that, also by 30 June 2004, the occupation will end and the Coalition Provisional Authority will cease to exist, and that Iraq will reassert its full sovereignty;

"3.   Reaffirms the right of the Iraqi people freely to determine their own political future and to exercise full authority and control over their financial and natural resources;

"4.   Endorses the proposed timetable for Iraq’s political transition to democratic government including:

(a)   formation of the sovereign Interim Government of Iraq that will assume governing responsibility and authority by 30 June 2004;

(b)   convening of a national conference reflecting the diversity of Iraqi society; and

(c)   holding of direct democratic elections by 31 December 2004 if possible, and in no case later than 31 January 2005, to a Transitional National Assembly, which will, inter alia, have responsibility for forming a Transitional Government of Iraq and drafting a permanent constitution for Iraq leading to a constitutionally elected government by 31 December 2005;

"5.   Invites the Government of Iraq to consider how the convening of an international meeting could support the above process, and notes that it would welcome such a meeting to support the Iraqi political transition and Iraqi recovery, to the benefit of the Iraqi people and in the interest of stability in the region;

"6.   Calls on all Iraqis to implement these arrangements peaceably and in full, and on all States and relevant organizations to support such implementation;

"7.   Decides that in implementing, as circumstances permit, their mandate to assist the Iraqi people and government, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), as requested by the Government of Iraq, shall:

(a)   play a leading role to:

(i)   assist in the convening, during the month of July 2004, of a national conference to select a Consultative Council;

(ii)  advise and support the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, as well as the Interim Government of Iraq and the Transitional National Assembly, on the process for holding elections;

(iii)promote national dialogue and consensus-building on the drafting of a national constitution by the people of Iraq;

(b)   and also:

(i)   advise the Government of Iraq in the development of effective civil and social services;

(ii)  contribute to the coordination and delivery of reconstruction, development, and humanitarian assistance;

(iii)promote the protection of human rights, national reconciliation, and judicial and legal reform in order to strengthen the rule of law in Iraq; and

(iv)  advise and assist the Government of Iraq on initial planning for the eventual conduct of a comprehensive census;

"8.   Welcomes ongoing efforts by the incoming Interim Government of Iraq to develop Iraqi security forces including the Iraqi armed forces (hereinafter referred to as "Iraqi security forces"), operating under the authority of the Interim Government of Iraq and its successors, which will progressively play a greater role and ultimately assume full responsibility for the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq;

"9.   Notes that the presence of the multinational force in Iraq is at the request of the incoming Interim Government of Iraq and therefore reaffirms the authorization for the multinational force under unified command established under resolution 1511 (2003), having regard to the letters annexed to this resolution;

"10.  Decides that the multinational force shall 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 this resolution expressing, inter alia, the Iraqi request for the continued presence of the multinational force and setting out its tasks, including by preventing and deterring terrorism, so that, inter alia, the United Nations can fulfil its role in assisting the Iraqi people as outlined in paragraph seven above and the Iraqi people can implement freely and without intimidation the timetable and program for the political process and benefit from reconstruction and rehabilitation activities;

"11.  Welcomes, in this regard, the letters annexed to this resolution stating, inter alia, that arrangements are being put in place to establish a security partnership between the sovereign Government of Iraq and the multinational force and to ensure coordination between the two, and notes also in this regard that Iraqi security forces are responsible to appropriate Iraqi ministers, that the Government of Iraq has 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 will serve as the fora for the Government of Iraq and the multinational force to reach agreement on the full range of fundamental security and policy issues, including policy on sensitive offensive operations, and will ensure full partnership between Iraqi security forces and the multinational force, through close coordination and consultation;

"12.  Decides further that the mandate for the multinational force shall be reviewed at the request of the Government of Iraq or twelve months from the date of this resolution, and that this mandate shall expire upon the completion of the political process set out in paragraph four above, and declares that it will terminate this mandate earlier if requested by the Government of Iraq;

"13.  Notes the intention, set out in the annexed letter from the United States Secretary of State, to create a distinct entity under unified command of the multinational force with a dedicated mission to provide security for the United Nations presence in Iraq, recognizes that the implementation of measures to provide security for staff members of the United Nations system working in Iraq would require significant resources, and calls upon Member States and relevant organizations to provide such resources, including contributions to that entity;

"14.  Recognizes that the multinational force will also assist in building the capability of the Iraqi security forces and institutions, through a program of recruitment, training, equipping, mentoring, and monitoring;

"15.  Requests Member States and international and regional organizations to contribute assistance to the multinational force, including military forces, as agreed with the Government of Iraq, to help meet the needs of the Iraqi people for security and stability, humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, and to support the efforts of UNAMI;

"16.  Emphasizes the importance of developing effective Iraqi police, border enforcement, and the Facilities Protection Service, under the control of the Interior Ministry of Iraq, and, in the case of the Facilities Protection Service, other Iraqi ministries, for the maintenance of law, order, and security, including combating terrorism, and requests Member States and international organizations to assist the Government of Iraq in building the capability of these Iraqi institutions;

"17.  Condemns all acts of terrorism in Iraq, reaffirms the obligations of Member States under resolutions 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999, 1333 (2000) of 19 December 2000, 1390 (2002) of 16 January 2002, 1455 (2003) of 17 January 2003, and 1526 (2004) of 30 January 2004, and other relevant international obligations with respect, inter alia, to terrorist activities in and from Iraq or against its citizens, and specifically reiterates its call upon Member States to prevent the transit of terrorists to and from Iraq, arms for terrorists, and financing that would support terrorists, and re-emphasizes the importance of strengthening the cooperation of the countries of the region, particularly neighbours of Iraq, in this regard;

"18.  Recognizes that the Interim Government of Iraq will assume the primary role in coordinating international assistance to Iraq;

"19.  Welcomes efforts by MemberStates and international organizations to respond in support of requests by the Interim Government of Iraq to provide technical and expert assistance while Iraq is rebuilding administrative capacity;

"20.  Reiterates its request that Member States, international financial institutions and other organizations strengthen their efforts to assist the people of Iraq in the reconstruction and development of the Iraqi economy, including by providing international experts and necessary resources through a coordinated programme of donor assistance;

"21.  Decides that the prohibitions related to the sale or supply to Iraq of arms and related materiel under previous resolutions shall not apply to arms or related materiel required by the Government of Iraq or the multinational force to serve the purposes of this resolution, stresses the importance for all States to abide strictly by them, and notes the significance of Iraq’s neighbours in this regard, and calls upon the Government of Iraq and the multinational force each to ensure that appropriate implementation procedures are in place;

"22.  Notes that nothing in the preceding paragraph affects the prohibitions on or obligations of States related to items specified in paragraphs 8 and 12 of resolution 687 (1991) of 3 April 1991 or activities described in paragraph 3 (f) of resolution 707 (1991) of 15 August 1991, and reaffirms its intention to revisit the mandates of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency;

"23.  Calls onMemberStates and international organizations to respond to Iraqi requests to assist Iraqi efforts to integrate Iraqi veterans and former militia members into Iraqi society;

"24.  Notes that, upon dissolution of the Coalition Provisional Authority, the funds in the Development Fund for Iraq shall be disbursed solely at the direction of the Government of Iraq, and decides that the Development Fund for Iraq shall be utilized in a transparent and equitable manner and through the Iraqi budget including to satisfy outstanding obligations against the Development Fund for Iraq, that the arrangements for the depositing of proceeds from export sales of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas established in paragraph 20 of resolution 1483 (2003) shall continue to apply, that the International Advisory and Monitoring Board shall continue its activities in monitoring the Development Fund for Iraq and shall include as an additional full voting member a duly qualified individual designated by the Government of Iraq and that appropriate arrangements shall be made for the continuation of deposits of the proceeds referred to in paragraph 21 of resolution 1483 (2003);

"25.  Decides further that the provisions in the above paragraph for the deposit of proceeds into the Development Fund for Iraq and for the role of the IAMB shall be reviewed at the request of the Transitional Government of Iraq or twelve months from the date of this resolution, and shall expire upon the completion of the political process set out in paragraph four above;

"26.  Decides that, in connection with the dissolution of the Coalition Provisional Authority, the Interim Government of Iraq and its successors shall assume the rights, responsibilities and obligations relating to the Oil-for-Food Programme that were transferred to the Authority, including all operational responsibility for the Programme and any obligations undertaken by the Authority in connection with such responsibility, and responsibility for ensuring independently authenticated confirmation that goods have been delivered, and further decides that, following a 120-day transition period from the date of adoption of this resolution, the Interim Government of Iraq and its successors shall assume responsibility for certifying delivery of goods under previously prioritized contracts, and that such certification shall be deemed to constitute the independent authentication required for the release of funds associated with such contracts, consulting as appropriate to ensure the smooth implementation of these arrangements;

"27.  Further decides that the provisions of paragraph 22 of resolution 1483 (2003) shall continue to apply, except that the privileges and immunities provided in that paragraph shall not apply with respect to any final judgement arising out of a contractual obligation entered into by Iraq after 30 June 2004;

"28.  Welcomes the commitments of many creditors, including those of the Paris Club, to identify ways to reduce substantially Iraq’s sovereign debt, calls on Member States, as well as internationa1 and regional organizations, to support the Iraq reconstruction effort, urges the international financial institutions and bilateral donors to take the immediate steps necessary to provide their full range of loans and other financial assistance and arrangements to Iraq, recognizes that the Interim Government of Iraq will have the authority to conclude and implement such agreements and other arrangements as may be necessary in this regard, and requests creditors, institutions and donors to work as a priority on these matters with the Interim Government of Iraq and its successors;

"29.  Recalls the continuing obligations of Member States to freeze and transfer certain funds, assets, and economic resources to the Development Fund for Iraq in accordance with paragraphs 19 and 23 of resolution 1483 (2003) and with resolution 1518 (2003) of 24 November 2003;

"30.  Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council within three months from the date of this resolution on UNAMI operations in Iraq, and on a quarterly basis thereafter on the progress made towards national elections and fulfilment of all UNAMI’s responsibilities;

"31.  Requests that the United States, on behalf of the multinational force, report to the Council within three months from the date of this resolution on the efforts and progress of this force, and on a quarterly basis thereafter;

"32.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."