16 October 2003
U.S. Says Iraq Resolution Reflects Multilateral Approach
U.S. Amb. Negroponte remarks following unanimous Security Council vote
With the unanimous adoption October 16 of a U.N. Security Council resolution, "the international community has demonstrated its wholehearted support for the people of Iraq," U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte said following the council vote. He added that the U.S. effort in the past weeks to arrive at an agreed text "reflects our commitment to a multilateral approach to this compelling matter."
The United States proposed the resolution following a series of deadly bombings in Iraq and the assassination of a member of the Iraqi Governing Council, the ambassador noted. "To meet this challenge," he said, " it was necessary to recommit the international community, and in so doing expand the opportunities for participation by member states, regional organizations, and the United Nations."
The new resolution -- co-sponsored by Cameroon, Spain and the United Kingdom along with the United States -- outlines a broad political, economic and security framework for Iraq. It gives the Iraqi Governing Council two months to present a timetable for drafting a new constitution and holding democratic elections, and it authorizes a multinational force in Iraq. The resolution also asks the U.N. to take an active role in the political, economic and rehabilitation process as circumstances permit.
The resolution has four key elements, Negroponte told the council: it confirms Iraqi leadership and recognizes the interim leadership as the embodiment of Iraqi sovereignty during the transition; addresses the political transition and gives the U.N. an expanded role in that process; establishes a multinational force under U.S. command; and encourages nations and international financial institutions to provide significant and sustained contributions.
"By addressing the triad of politics, economics, and security, the resolution offers a solid base for expanded international engagement," the ambassador said.
Following is a transcript of the ambassador's remarks:
(begin transcript)
USUN PRESS RELEASE
October 16, 2003
Explanation of Vote by Ambassador John D. Negroponte, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, in his National Capacity, on Resolution 1511 Addressing the Situation in Iraq, in the Security Council, October 16, 2003
I will now make a statement in my capacity as representative of the United States.
First of all let me again thank the Secretary General for his presence here today, his important statement, and his commitment to lend his support to the implementation of Resolution 1511.
Today's vote is a vote for the future of Iraq. By its unanimous adoption of this resolution, the international community has demonstrated its wholehearted support for the people of Iraq.
During the past six weeks, we have engaged in intense and constructive discussions about the role of the international community in Iraq. My government has listened carefully to the concerns of each Council member and we greatly appreciate the thorough exchange of views. The end result of our dialogue is a strengthened resolution, a resolution that will enlarge the international community's participation in Iraq's stabilization and reconstruction. Extending both hands to a key country in a strategic region will serve our mutual interests in peace and security.
We started these discussions in the wake of the devastating trio of terrorist bombings at the Jordanian embassy, United Nations headquarters, and the Imam Ali mosque. These actions represented an assault on the new Iraq, as was the tragic assassination of Governing Council member Dr. Akila al-Hashimi.
To meet this challenge, it was necessary to recommit the international community, and in so doing expand the opportunities for participation by member states, regional organizations, and the United Nations. In crafting this resolution, we never lost sight of the conditions on the ground. Our consistent aim has been to support the Iraqis and those who have joined them in this unprecedented stabilization, reconstruction and recovery effort.
The resolution has four key elements. First, it confirms Iraqi leadership in establishing a political horizon for the transfer of power and makes clear that the interim Iraqi leadership embodies Iraqi sovereignty during the transition. In this regard, the resolution also reaffirms a point that the United States has never left in doubt: the exercise of governmental authorities in Iraq by the Coalition Provisional Authority is temporary in nature. We will not waver from our stated objective of transferring governing responsibilities and authorities to the people of Iraq as soon as practicable. Second, in addressing the crucially important process of political transition, the resolution provides for an expanded United Nations role, commensurate with the United Nations unique experience and expertise, subject to United Nations capacity in Iraq. Third, the resolution establishes a United Nations-authorized multinational force under unified United States command, and provides a platform for contributions to the training and equipping of Iraqi police and security forces. Fourth, the resolution encourages the international financial institutions and others to provide significant and sustained contributions to the reconstruction and development of Iraq's economy as tangible proof of their commitment to the economic health and political stability of Iraq.
By addressing the triad of politics, economics, and security, the resolution offers a solid base for expanded international engagement. My government's careful consideration of text during these past weeks reflects our commitment to a multilateral approach to this compelling matter. We welcome those, including of course the co-sponsors, who have joined us, and urge all states to review how they might best contribute to Iraqi efforts to forge a better future. If there ever was a time to help Iraq, it is now.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
This page printed from: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=October&x=20031016152627atiayduj0.2229578&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html
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