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UN extends US-LED force's mandate in Iraq
9.11.2005
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New York, 9 Nov.
(AKI) - The mandate of the US-led multinational
force in Iraq has been extended by a year by the UN
Security Council, keeping the troops in the country
until the end of 2006, unless the Iraqi government
asks them to leave earlier. The council had
previously decided that the force's mandate could be
reviewed or terminated should Iraq request it, but
would nonetheless expire once a permanent government
is constitutionally elected by the end of 2005.
Under the new resolution, passed unanimously on
Tuesday, the council also decided to extend until 31
December 2006 the arrangements for depositing
proceeds from export sales of petroleum, petroleum
products, and natural gas into the Development Fund
of Iraq (DFI). This fund was established in May 2003
to administer proceeds from those commodities as
well as funds remaining from the United Nations
"Oil-for-Food" Programme and other assets seized
from the former regime.
Speaking after the vote, US Ambassador John Bolton
said he was pleased that the council had been able
to come together quickly and unanimously to respond
to the Iraqi government's request for continued
support.
He urged the international community, "especially
the Arab world," to support the Iraqi people. "That
support comes in many forms – participation in the
coalition, contribution to Iraq's humanitarian and
reconstruction activities, increased diplomatic
engagement, and compliance with relevant
resolutions," Ambassador Bolton said.
Iraq's representative, Samir Shakir Mahmood
Sumaida'ie, expressed his appreciation for the
council's response to the request by his prime
minister – who asked for the extension in a letter
earlier this week – as well as for the manner in
which the resolution had been adopted, in an
environment of harmony and agreement.
Stressing that the foreign forces in Iraq must
maintain their temporary status, France's
representative, Michel Duclos, emphasised the
clarity of the provision of the text that said the
future government, at any time, would be able to
request that the mandate be continued or ended.
The vote on extending the mandate came on the day a
second lawyer representing one of former dictator
Saddam Hussein's co-defendents against charges of
crimes against humanity was murdered. Adel al-Zubeidi
died when gunmen opened fire on him and another
lawyer in the trial, Thamer Hamoud al-Khuzaie, who
was injured, as they drove through western Baghdad
on Tuesday. Just one day after Saddam Hussein's
trial opened, lawyer Saadoun al-Janabi was kidnapped
from his office and killed.
UN secretary-general Kofi Annan condemned what he
called "cold-blooded murders". "These actions
undermine efforts to uphold the cause of justice and
the rule of law in Iraq. In this regard, it is
vitally important that the security of all involved
with the tribunal should be equally assured to
ensure a trial free from intimidation and coercion,"
his spokesperson said.
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