Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/24/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N/IRAQ RESOLUTION (L-O)

NUMBER=2-316166

BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United States and Britain have introduced a Security Council resolution outlining a full transfer of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government on June 30th. From U-N headquarters, Peter Heinlein reports a multinational force is to continue providing security in Iraq for at least a year.

TEXT: The five-page draft resolution reflects weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations among Security Council countries. As he entered the Council chamber to present the draft Monday, British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry was optimistic about a quick consensus on terms of a hand-over of power to an interim government in Baghdad.

/// JONES PARRY ACT ///

But our wish is early progress and try and see a vote in order to end uncertainty and provide a way forward. And we should do that, I hope in the early period in June.

/// END ACT ///

The resolution calls for a multinational force under unified command to provide security for the foreseeable future. The mandate would be reviewed after one year, however -- or earlier if the transitional government requests.

Germany's U-N representative, Gunter Pleuger, said he was still waiting to see the plan for an interim government being prepared by U-N envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. But called the draft a good basis for discussion.

/// PLEUGER ACT ///

It is important that resolution will make clear that we have a new start in Iraq, a political process, the restoration of sovereignty to Iraq, and we will make sure process provides Iraqi ownership for the political process as well as for the process of economic reconstruction.

/// END ACT ///

The draft resolution outlines a leading role for the United Nations in overseeing the process to an elected Iraqi government.

Most international U-N staff, however, remain outside Iraq, because of security considerations. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has stressed repeatedly that improvements in overall security before U-N employees return en masse.

Special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has been in Baghdad for several weeks, consulting with various political factions about the composition of a post-occupation administration. He is expected to return to New York headquarters later this week. (SIGNED)

NEB/NYC/pfh/KL/MEM