S/PV.5099 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Iraq, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the consideration of the item on the Council’s agenda. In accordance with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the consideration, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, its is so decided.

In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior consultation, I shall take it that the Council agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to Mr. Ashraf Qazi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq. It is so decided. I invite Mr. Qazi to take a seat at the Council table. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 30 of resolution 1546 (2004) (S/2004/959). At this meeting the Security Council will hear briefings by Mr. Ashraf Qazi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, and Mr. John Danforth, representative of the United States, on behalf of the multinational force. Mr. Qazi: The report before you is the second report of the Secretary-General pursuant to resolution 1546 (2004), paragraph 30. I trust that you will find it to be in large part self-explanatory. I will therefore confine myself to a few remarks. The forthcoming election represents a test of the new political order and of the transition process in Iraq. The Iraqi people have yet to be given the opportunity to assert their political rights through the ballot box. While there is clearly a widespread desire among Iraqis to participate in the elections, some important segments of the population still feel alienated or excluded from the political transition. The overall security situation remained difficult during the reporting period. Violence of all types, much of it extreme in its brutality and indiscriminate in nature, has disrupted a significant portion of the country. Daily reports of insurgent, terrorist and criminal activities and of military and security operations graphically illustrate the fragility of the situation. The chief victims are, as always, the civilian population. From our contacts with almost all sectors of Iraqi society, we are convinced that violence is abhorrent to the overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people. They demand a way out of this situation through the establishment of a government that demonstrably enjoys the assent of the majority of the population. This desire to find political solutions to political problems is by and large shared by all Iraqis, with the exception of a few irreconcilable extremists. The vast majority, including those who have so far chosen to remain outside the political process, understand that the long-term consequences of violence seldom if ever meet expectations and are most often very counter- productive to the achievement of desired goals. Over the past three months, the United Nations has actively continued its efforts to engage in dialogue with a wide spectrum of Iraqi opinion, including those outside the political mainstream, with the aim of understanding their needs and aspirations and encouraging them to enter the political process. Equally, we have continued to encourage those parties that comprise the Iraqi Interim Government to intensify their efforts to reach out to the widest possible range of Iraqi opinion, since an inclusive process is the best guarantee of a successful transition. My colleagues and I have tried to impress upon all our interlocutors that the forthcoming elections must provide a platform for the expression of all shades of Iraqi political opinion and allow for the adequate representation of Iraqis of all backgrounds, whether ethnic or religious, or members of civil society and independents. To its credit, the Interim Government has made efforts to reach out to alienated elements and is continuing to do so. It needs every encouragement to increase its efforts in this direction; the success of the transition depends to a great extent on them. Because the future Transitional National Assembly will also be the constituent assembly, it must be seen as sufficiently representative by all constituents of the Iraqi polity. Equally, for those opposition elements who claim to have a substantial base of political support, there can be no better opportunity to demonstrate that support than by participating in the forthcoming elections. Accordingly, there is no alternative to an inclusive and successful national election. Free and fair elections conducted by an independent electoral commission have so far not been part of Iraqi political life. This is why it is so important that, despite the challenging security environment, Iraqis make every effort to avail themselves of this opportunity to participate in the forthcoming elections. Those who choose to opt out of or seek to undermine such a transforming process do neither themselves nor their country any favour. The self-restraint and accommodation exhibited with regard to certain opposition groups, and their subsequent decision to eschew violence and participate in the political process, show that peaceful political alternatives are always available. At the same time, it is a fact that political opinion remains very polarized. Along with the general insistence that elections be held as scheduled by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI), there have been calls from some quarters for the boycott of elections. Others have called for the postponement of elections to allow time and reconciliation efforts to heal the wounds of recent events. It is imperative that every effort be made to promote dialogue, compromise and reconciliation among all Iraqis in order to bring about a more secure environment. Otherwise, there is a real danger that the political transition process will be impeded, rather than facilitated. A successful transition will also be facilitated through sustained regional and international engagement with the Iraqi Interim Government and with representatives of the spectrum of Iraqi civil and political opinion. The Sharm El Sheikh Conference in late November brought together key regional and international actors, and the subsequent meeting of regional interior ministers in Tehran built on the consensus reached at Sharm El Sheik. The Sharm El Sheik and Tehran communiqués should help to bring about a regional environment conducive to Iraq’s transition. Political outreach efforts inside Iraq, as well as growing regional cooperation with respect to Iraq, offer the best prospect for an improved political and security environment and a successful transition in Iraq. I am optimistic that the Interim Government and the people of Iraq are willing and able to successfully negotiate the transition to a united, democratic and prosperous Iraq. Despite its current problems, Iraq possesses the human and material capital to rebuild itself. Moreover, the support of the international community to Iraq’s political and economic reconstruction was again reaffirmed in October at the Tokyo meeting of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility. The Paris Club has decided to significantly reduce Iraq’s external debt burden, and it is hoped that other creditor nations will follow suit. Substantial resources have been used to mitigate emergency and rehabilitation needs, as well as to support the work of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq. Additional economic support can be expected as Iraq succeeds in advancing its political transition. The potential of Iraq remains its surest hope of success. That is why the United Nations is in Iraq, despite many constraints. We are and shall remain sensitive to the expectations that Iraqi people have of the United Nations. We are determined not to disappoint those expectations and aware of the important role the United Nations has in facilitating a transition process that answers to the aspirations of Iraqi people. The next year will see many challenges and opportunities: the election of a Transitional National Assembly, a constitutional referendum and a general election under the new constitution. It will be all the more important to have wider and deeper consensus in the international community, particularly in this Council, in support of the efforts of the Secretary- General and UNAMI to implement our mandate under resolution 1546 (2004) to the fullest extent possible, as circumstances permit. With the Council’s support, the Secretary-General and I remain committed to doing our utmost to help promote peace, stability and development in a united Iraq.

Today, I will provide the Security Council with an update on the situation in Iraq, in accordance with Security Council resolution 1546 (2004). This oral report will summarize the more detailed written report that we are releasing today. First, on behalf of the multinational force, I thank the Secretary-General and his Special Representative for their report which we found to be thorough and encouraging. Also, I express thanks to the members of the United Nations team working on the Iraqi elections. While the security situation in Iraq remains difficult, the increase in United Nations staff and support is essential to Iraq’s political transition process. The United Nations presence is critically important to successful elections next 30 January and beyond, and to economic development and reconstruction. The multinational force consists of over 150,000 troops and support personnel from over 30 countries. It remains in place at the invitation of the Iraqi Government with the goal of contributing to security and stability and of assisting the Iraqis in building a democracy. The force, in conjunction with the Iraqi Government and international and national non- governmental organizations, provides extensive humanitarian assistance and highly specialized reconstruction resources. And, of course, the force works aggressively to isolate and neutralize those who threaten the security of the Iraqi people. Members of the force continue to work bravely and tirelessly alongside their Iraqi counterparts to combat terrorism, destroy weapons that threaten Iraq’s stability, gather intelligence and wage combat operations against insurgents and terrorists. While the opponents of peace and security are tenacious, the multinational force has made progress in creating conditions that will allow for free and fair elections and a transition to democracy. Multinational force units devoted to reconstruction and public welfare repair bridges, ports, roads and railroads. They construct and repair schools, hospitals, post offices and other public buildings throughout Iraq. They provide medical treatment and vaccinations for civilians. Multinational force units devoted to security have continued to dispose of thousands of tons of ammunition and mines that could otherwise be used by insurgents to destabilize the Government. Resolution 1546 (2004) welcomes ongoing efforts by the Interim Iraqi Government to develop its own security forces. The multinational force is helping to build this capability through the recruiting, training, equipping and mentoring of Iraqi security forces. The Iraqi security forces — which include the police, border enforcement, army, national guard, intervention force, special operations force, air force and coastal defence force — currently number roughly 116,240 trained and equipped people, almost three times the number of troops from the last reporting period. While the trends are positive, much work remains before Iraq’s forces can take full responsibility for the country’s security. Until Iraqi forces are fully trained and operational and insurgents cease terrorizing the country, security will remain a serious concern. In the months since our last report to the Council, we have witnessed significant attacks against the multinational force and the Iraqi people with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and explosive devices. Insurgents have attacked Iraqis who work for their Government, as well as workers from outside the country, in efforts to disrupt the rebuilding of the country. The multinational force understands United Nations concerns about the safety of its brave and dedicated people and is committed to providing security for the growing United Nations staff in Iraq. As we provide that security, we urge the United Nations to put additional personnel on the ground. Additional United Nations support is essential to the future of Iraq, and especially to the success of next month’s elections. Resolution 1546 (2004) authorized a distinct entity to provide security for United Nations personnel in Iraq. In its absence, United States troops have done that work. We are encouraged that several Governments have recently confirmed their intent to contribute to the distinct security entity authorized by the resolution, and we are hopeful that the group will be operational by January 2005, in time for the elections. Also, the United Nations is taking important steps to provide for its own security by including a substantial formed guard unit and personal security details for its personnel. Security for the United Nations in Iraq will be a key issue for some time, and we urge donors in the strongest possible terms to step forward with donations of forces and finances. It is with great hope that we anticipate Iraq’s elections on 30 January. The elections will be not the end of a process, but rather a beginning — an important step in the development of a democratic nation. With perseverance and a steadfast commitment to the effort, and with a strong partnership of the Iraqi people, the multinational force and the United Nations, a free and democratic Iraq will emerge from the tyranny and terrorism that have plagued the country for so long. That day will be a great one for Iraq, for the United Nations and for the world. A longer, written version of this report will be provided for circulation as a document of the Council.

In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior consultations, I should now like to invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.