14 September 2004
U.S. Calls for More International Security Aid for Iraq
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. briefs Security Council on Iraq
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth urged nations to "contribute to the future of Iraq by providing financial assistance and troops to provide security for the U.N. in Iraq," September 14.
In a report to the Security Council on the situation in Iraq, Danforth said that there is "real progress" in the efforts of the Multinational Force (MNF) to provide the means for a free, stable Iraq. But, he said, "great challenges remain," including getting more U.N. international staff into the country to help Iraq prepare for and hold national elections by January 2005.
The Security Council held an open meeting September 14 to hear reports from the United States, Iraq, and Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq Ashraf Qazi on events over the past three months. All three emphasized the need for more international troops and funds to increase security for U.N. workers and headquarters in Iraq. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has said that he will not send a significant number of international staff into the country unless security is provided. To date, the U.N. has been unable to find nations willing to contribute troops for a battalion-size force for that effort. There are currently about 35 U.N. international staff in the country.
The ambassador said that the U.S. and the MNF look forward to increased U.N. activities that will promote the democratic process in Iraq.
"The assumption of governing authority by the Iraqi Interim Government marked the beginning of a new era for the people of Iraq," Danforth said. "However, while the new government is widely supported by the public, the transfer did not mean an end to the challenges that face us. Well-armed insurgents and terrorists remain determined to assassinate leaders, take hostages, and attack MNF and Iraqi forces."
Danforth, the chief U.S. envoy to the United Nations, also reported on the MNF's work in training the Iraqi police, border police and facilities protection service as well as efforts to restore essential services to the Iraqi people.
Following is the text of the ambassador's remarks:
(begin transcript)
Statement by Ambassador John C. Danforth, US Representative to the United Nations, on the Situation in Iraq, in the Security Council, September 14, 2004
Mr. President, thank you very much. I want to thank Special Representative Qazi for his very persuasive report and beyond that for job that he and his colleagues are doing for the people of Iraq.
Mr. President, I am pleased to report to the Security Council on the efforts and progress of the Multinational Force, pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1546.
The activities that I will discuss demonstrate that the Multinational Force, working closely with the Interim Iraqi Government remains committed to a secure, stable, and democratic Iraq. Today I will report on four broad areas. First, I will discuss the current security situation in Iraq. Second, I will discuss the status of the MNF's joint effort with the Interim Iraqi Government to build and deploy Iraq's security forces. Third, I will report on the status of efforts to rebuild the infrastructure of Iraq. Finally, I will discuss our hopes and expectations regarding the future involvement of the United Nations in the rebuilding of Iraq.
My remarks today will provide a summary, but we have also distributed a longer written report and it is posted it on our website. It will also be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/2004/730.
SECURITY SITUATION
Before I go into details of the last three months, let me address the terrible events of the last twenty-four hours. These events bring to the fore what will be a theme in my remarks. The security situation is fragile, attacks are persistent, and lives continue to be lost. We have days where there are setbacks, and we have to acknowledge them, but that only strengthen our resolve.
Mr. President, the MNF consists of forces from over 30 countries. Countries other than the United States contribute approximately 23,000 personnel. Working closely with Iraqi Security Forces, these brave men and women have performed with admirable professionalism in their efforts to improve the security situation in Iraq.
In the two weeks following the assumption of responsibility and authority by the fully sovereign and independent Iraqi Interim Government on June 28, 2004, there was a large drop in acts of violence against MNF operations. However, in the weeks that followed, insurgents and terrorists increased their attacks against government officials, civilian contractors, foreign nationals, and the Iraqi people. As we all know, the anti-Iraqi forces resorted to horrific tactics against civilians. In August, largely as a result of Muqtada al-Sadr's illegal Mahdi militia resuming its insurrection in Najaf and the Al Thawra neighborhood in Baghdad attacks on the MNF increased as well.
To respond to these open challenges to the Iraqi government, the MNF has employed new counterinsurgency tactics and it continues to train and deploy Iraqi Security Forces. The key to defeating the insurgents and terrorists, who are tenacious and remain determined to undermine the Iraqi government, is to continue training and deploying Iraqi forces at an accelerated pace. In its endeavors, the Multinational Force coordinates closely with the Iraqi Interim Government.
SECURITY FORCES
Let me turn to the status of the MNF's joint efforts with the government to develop Iraqi Security Forces.
The Iraqi Security Forces fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense or Ministry of Interior. Forces under the Ministry of Defense are the Iraqi Army, including the Iraqi National Guard, the Intervention Force, the Special Operations Force, the Iraqi Air Force, and the Coastal Defense Force. As of September 10, The Iraqi Ministry of Defense had over 231,000 Iraqi security forces either on duty or in training. Iraqi security forces falling under the Ministry of the Interior's jurisdiction also have a crucial role in national security. These forces include the Iraqi Police Service, the Civil Intervention Force, and the Department of Border Enforcement.
The Iraqi Police now number over 86,000. We are currently training the civil intervention force, an emergency response force, and a dignitary protection force. The goal is to have 135,000 well-equipped, highly motivated police when training efforts are complete. The Department of Border Enforcement has hired over 14,000 border police-with a goal of 32,000. In addition to these forces from the Ministries of Defense and Interior, the other Ministries are guarded by the Facilities Protection Service, which has nearly 74,000 personnel on duty.
Much work remains to be done and the insurgents have proven persistent in their attacks against the Iraqi Interim Government, their security forces, the Iraqi people, and all those seeking to assist and rebuild the new Iraq. Developing competent leadership for these forces is a top priority, and sometimes has been a challenge.
We are currently focused on assisting the Iraqi government in its efforts to instill a sense of responsibility and professionalism in the Iraqi forces, and we are optimistic that we are achieving good results. The Iraqi National Guard, for example, has performed especially well in recent weeks - fighting bravely against insurgent activities. The performance of the Iraqi Police has also improved markedly since April. But there is still a lot of work ahead.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Mr. President, a stable, peaceful Iraq requires more than well-trained and well-equipped security and police forces. It also requires the development of a new infrastructure and the creation of economic opportunity for the Iraqi people. To that end, forces assigned to the MNF, especially civil affairs personnel, have worked to restore essential services to the Iraqi people. For example, engineering units have helped to restore power to pre-conflict levels throughout Iraq - although the events of yesterday indicate that maintaining these basic services continues to be a challenge.
They have repaired numerous bridges, ports, roads, and railroads. They have constructed schools, hospitals, post offices and other public buildings. Medical units have developed children's vaccination programs. Civil affairs personnel work daily with the Iraqis to help them form the structures needed to build a democratic society. The MNF will also be available to provide security for the upcoming Iraqi elections.
ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Mr. President, while we see real progress in the efforts of the MNF to provide the means for a free, stable Iraq, I must state candidly that great challenges remain. We believe that the United Nations will be an important part of the efforts to meet these challenges.
Resolution 1546 endows the United Nations with a leading role to advise and assist the Iraqis in preparing and holding national elections. The Transitional Administrative Law requires these elections to be no later than January 2005. Let there be no doubt: we are committed to this timetable. It also notes the creation of a distinct entity under the unified command of the MNF dedicated to providing security to the UN in Iraq. I think I speak for all member nations when I say that the horror and sorrow of the attack of August 19, 2003, are still very much with us. With the Secretary General's Special Representative Qazi and his staff of 35 dedicated people now on the ground in Iraq, I can state that the United States and the MNF remain committed to working with the international community to ensure that the UN's security needs are met. But this effort merits international support if it is to be successful. I strongly urge that member states contribute to the future of Iraq by providing financial assistance and troops to provide security for the UN in Iraq.
Time is of the essence, particularly as we look to the upcoming elections, which are to take places no later than January 31, 2005. Working together, we will help the Iraqi government ensure that the people of Iraq reach this important milestone.
CLOSING
Mr. President, the assumption of governing authority by the Iraqi Interim Government marked the beginning of a new era for the people of Iraq. However, while the new government is widely supported by the public, the transfer did not mean an end to the challenges that face us. Well-armed insurgents and terrorists remained determined to assassinate leaders, take hostages, and attack MNF and Iraqi forces. Only the rule of law, backed by well-trained Iraqi forces, supported by a thriving infrastructure and economy, and energized by a free and fair elections process, can defeat those who wish to destabilize the country.
We look forward to increased UN activities in Iraq - activities that will promote the democratic process. You can rest assured that the MNF remains committed to working with the Iraqi people and the UN to make this possible.
Thank you, Mr. President.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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