Thin Black Line
Member
I guess I am a dumb soldier. So who has final say? The UN? The
US? Did I serve at the pleasure of the Iraqi government?
I need to check my old DCUs for what flag was on the right shoulder....maybe
someone gave me a pill that made me forget everything. Maybe it was a
blue flag and my weapons came out of a UN armory!
US? Did I serve at the pleasure of the Iraqi government?
I need to check my old DCUs for what flag was on the right shoulder....maybe
someone gave me a pill that made me forget everything. Maybe it was a
blue flag and my weapons came out of a UN armory!
28 November 2006
Security Council
SC/8879
UNITED NATIONS
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York
Security Council
5574th Meeting (PM)
SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE IN IRAQ UNTIL
31 DECEMBER 2007, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1723 (2006)
Also Calls for Review of Force by 15 June 2007,
Earlier Termination of Mandate if Requested by Iraqi Government
Responding to a request by the Iraqi Prime Minister, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the multinational force in Iraq until the end of next year, deciding that it should be reviewed at the request of that country’s Government or no later than 15 June 2007. The Council also declared that it would terminate the mandate earlier if requested by the Government of Iraq.
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1723 (2006) -- submitted by Denmark, Japan, Slovakia, United Kingdom and United States -– which also extended through the end of 2007 the arrangements for depositing proceeds from export sales of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas into the Development Fund of Iraq, as well as the arrangements for monitoring the Fund by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board. Also by the text, the arrangements for the monitoring of the Development Fund by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board would be reviewed at the request of the Government or no later than 15 June 2007.
Annexed to the resolution was a letter containing Iraq’s request, as well as a letter from the United States Secretary of State, who confirmed the force’s readiness to continue to fulfil its mandate as set out in Security Council resolution 1546 (2004) and extended by resolution 1637 (2005).
Speaking after the vote, the United States representative noted the request of the Iraqi Government for continuing support of the multinational force in helping it face the current security challenges and welcomed the speedy adoption of the resolution extending the mandate of the force, as well as the arrangements for the Development Fund for Iraq and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board. The multinational force continued to play a vital role in the security and stability of Iraq. It was also working in close partnership with the Iraqi Government towards the development of Iraq’s ability to assume responsibility for security in the country. The United States remained committed to a unified, democratic and prosperous Iraq and looked forward to continued cooperation of the international community for Iraq’s future.
The representative of the United Kingdom said the resolution represented the Council’s unanimous response to the requests of the Government of Iraq. He added that the resolution came with the assurance that the Iraqi Government might at any time seek review of the arrangements, or termination of the multinational force’s mandate. He pledged his Government would work with Iraq bilaterally and as a contributor to the multinational force, and that it would continue to assist in the progressive transfer of security responsibilities to the Iraqi Security Forces. He added that the multinational force had already been able to hand over control of two provinces to Iraq during this summer and, conditions permitting, he looked forward to notable progress in the next year.
The representative of the Russian Federation noted that the co-sponsors of the text had taken into account his delegation’s basic concerns, which related, first of all, to the safety of diplomatic personnel accredited in Iraq and confirmation of the time limitations of foreign troops’ stay in the country. At the same time, he regretted that the resolution did not reflect Russia’s proposals on the need to continue the political process in Iraq, the foundation for which had been laid at the conferences in Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh. Those remained important, especially in view of the current military and political situation in Iraq and the need to look for a viable formula for national dialogue.
The situation in Iraq remained complex, he continued, and the signs of improvement were not evident. Despite all the efforts of the Government and the multinational force, violence, terrorist activities, sectarian conflict and continued division of society remained a threat. Today, practically everybody agreed on the priority need for national reconciliation. Without resolving that problem, it would be impossible to take the country out of its crisis and create the necessary conditions for ensuring its territorial integrity, security and economic restoration. Without effective international follow-up, the politicians of the country would find it difficult to restore trust. Needed under those circumstances, was constructive assistance by Iraq’s neighbours, leading States of the region and the League of Arab States. For its part, Russia was ready to participate actively in any initiatives that would help to stabilize the situation in the country.
France’s representative expressed concern with the worsening of the security situation in the country. He said the Council shared the same objective of preventing Iraq from falling into civil war and recovering its stability, and added that a clear horizon for withdrawal of foreign troops made it possible to send a clear message that the objective of the international community was to help Iraq. Supporting the political transition required all elements of Iraqi society. Finally, he hoped that the objectives of the national Iraqi dialogue in Sharm el-Sheikh in 2004 and the Cairo conference in 2005 could continue with the support of countries in the region, and Iraq could proceed with a national reconciliation conference.
The meeting was called to order at 3:12 p.m. and adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
Resolution
The complete text of resolution 1723 (2006) reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
“Welcoming the formation of a national unity government in Iraq with a detailed political, economic and security programme and a strong national reconciliation agenda and looking forward to the day Iraqi forces assume full responsibility for the maintenance of security and stability in their country, thus allowing the completion of the multinational force mandate and the end of its presence in Iraq,
“Welcoming the progress made to date in the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces as well as in the transfer of security responsibilities to those forces in Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces and looking forward to the continuation of that process during 2007,
“Recalling all of its previous relevant resolutions on Iraq,
“Reaffirming the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Iraq,
“Reaffirming also the right of the Iraqi people freely to determine their own political future and control their own national resources,
“Welcoming the continuing work of the Government of Iraq towards a federal, democratic, pluralistic, and unified Iraq, in which there is full respect for human rights,
“Welcoming the vital role played by the Government of Iraq in continuing to promote national dialogue and reconciliation in pursuit of an atmosphere in which sectarianism is totally rejected, including the National Reconciliation Plan announced by Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki, stressing the importance of the rapid implementation of the plan, and reaffirming the willingness of the international community to work closely with the Government of Iraq to assist these reconciliation efforts,
“Recognizing the International Compact with Iraq, an initiative of the Government of Iraq to create a new partnership with the international community and to build a strong framework for Iraq’s continued political, security and economic transformation and integration into the regional and global economy, and welcoming the important role that the United Nations is playing by jointly chairing the Compact with the Government of Iraq,
“Calling upon the international community, particularly countries in the region and Iraq’s neighbours, to support the Iraqi people in their pursuit of peace, stability, security, democracy, and prosperity, and noting that the successful implementation of this resolution will contribute to regional stability,
“Demanding those who use violence in an attempt to subvert the political process should lay down their arms and participate in the political process, and encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue to engage with all those who renounce violence,
“Reaffirming that acts of terrorism must not be allowed to disrupt Iraq’s political and economic transition, and further reaffirming the obligations of Member States under resolution 1618 (2005) of 4 August 2005 and other relevant resolutions and international conventions with respect, inter alia, to terrorist activities in and from Iraq or against its citizens,
“Recognizing the request conveyed in the letter of 11 November 2006 from the Prime Minister of Iraq to the President of the Council, which is annexed to this resolution, to retain the presence of the multinational force in Iraq, and affirming thecommon goals therein: Iraqi assumption of recruiting, training, equipping, and arming of the Iraqi Security Forces; Iraqi assumption of command and control over Iraqi forces; and the transfer of responsibility for security to the Government of Iraq,
“Recognizing the importance of consent of the sovereign Government of Iraq for the presence of the multinational force and of close coordination and partnership between the multinational force and that Government,
“Welcoming the willingness of the multinational force to continue efforts to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq, including participating in the provision of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, as described in the letter of 17 November 2006 from the United States Secretary of State to the President of the Council, which is annexed to this resolution,
“Recognizing the tasks and arrangements set out in letters annexed to resolution 1546 (2004) of 8 June 2004 and the cooperative implementation by the Government of Iraq and the multinational force of those arrangements,
“Affirming the importance for all forces promoting the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq to act in accordance with international law, including obligations under international humanitarian law, and to cooperate with the relevant international organizations, and welcoming their commitments in this regard,