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13 October 2005

United Nations' Annan Urges Iraqis To Vote on Constitution

Secretary-general calls for a peaceful referendum on October 15

Calling Iraq’s October 15 constitutional referendum a "keystone" of the democratic transition, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged Iraqi voters to cast ballots, saying “For the second time in less than a year, the future is in your hands.”

In January, Iraqi voters elected a transitional national assembly, which drafted the proposed constitution.

In an October 13 message to the Iraqi people, Annan urged them to reflect carefully upon the proposed constitution and express their opinions in a peaceful manner.

“Today is dedicated to peaceful debate and reflection on the merits of this document, so that you can make an informed decision on referendum day. This is the time to keep the guns quiet on all sides and to let the voices of the Iraqi people be heard,” he said.

Annan said that the United Nations will support Iraq as it takes the next steps in building its political institutions regardless of whether the voters endorse the constitution as proposed or demand a rewriting.

For additional information on the constitutional referendum, see Iraq’s Political Process.

Following is the text of Annan’s message:

(begin text)

United Nations
The Secretary-General [Kofi Annan]

MESSAGE TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE ON NATIONAL CONSTITUTION DAY

13 October 2005

Last January, you the people of Iraq demonstrated with great courage your commitment to your country’s transition to democracy. The constitutional referendum on 15 October is a keystone of this process. You will have the opportunity to exercise your democratic right to accept or reject the draft text that is submitted to you. For the second time in less than a year, the future is in your hands.

Today is dedicated to peaceful debate and reflection on the merits of this document, so that you can make an informed decision on referendum day. This is the time to keep the guns quiet on all sides and to let the voices of the Iraqi people be heard. In particular, I urge those who themselves refuse to participate in the political process not to deprive others of their right to do so, free from fear and intimidation.

At this critical moment in Iraq’s history, every vote counts. Whatever the outcome, the United Nations will continue to do all it can to help you succeed on whichever path you choose for building a stable, unified and prosperous Iraq.

Lisbon, 13 October 2005

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)