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Mr. President,
I would like to join my colleagues in welcoming the Secretary General at this important meeting.
2. Pakistan is happy that the Security Council has been able to act unanimously on this resolution just approved by the Security Council and we commend the flexibility demonstrated by all Council members. Pakistan has voted in favour of the resolution which we have just approved and I would like to say a few words to explain our position.
3. Before and after the war in Iraq early this year, Pakistan’s position has been guided by our concern for the welfare of the fraternal people of Iraq and for their country. Pakistan did not support the war. In its aftermath, our concern has been to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people; to restore the security and stability of their country, to ensure the earliest restoration of their sovereignty and political independence. The resolutions adopted by the Security Council since the war- resolutions 1472, 1476, 1483 and 1500- were, in our view, designed to take the first steps towards realizing these objectives. Several steps have been taken to achieve these objectives in Iraq, including the organization of humanitarian assistance, the revival of administrative structures, and the establishment of a Governing Council which was considered to be “ broadly representative” by resolution 1500 of this Council.
4. Unfortunately, the situation in Iraq has evolved in ways that have aroused regional and international concerns. In particular, the security environment has not improved; attacks have occurred on foreign and civilian presence. Tragically, even the United Nations – present in Iraq to assist the Iraqi people – was targeted in the devastating attack of 19 August costing the lives of 32 UN personnel, including the head of the UN Mission, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Since then, guerrilla and terrorist attacks have occurred with numbing regularity, as listed in preambular paragraph 5 and operative paragraph 18 of the resolution just approved by the Security Council.
5. We have viewed the initiation of the present resolution as an opportunity to address these concerns and to construct a structure that could lead to the early restoration of Iraq’s sovereignty and political independence. We have supported the resolution because, despite the complexity and contradictions in parts of the text, we believe that the fundamental objectives of this resolution are:
· restoration of sovereignty and transfer of authority to the people of Iraq;
· improvement in the security situation; and
· promotion of economic reconstruction and expeditious provision of relief.
6. The draft resolution would have gained considerably in clarity and credibility if it had clearly stipulated the principles which should guide the political transition and maintenance of security and reconstruction in Iraq:
Mr. President,
7. We would have desired a clearer process in the text for early restoration of Iraq’s sovereignty and quick transfer of power and authority to the Iraqi people to control their political future and their economic resources. This is, Mr. President, an inalienable right of the people of Iraq and like other peoples, they are entitled to exercise it without unnecessary delay.
8. We have, nevertheless, noted that the text reaffirms the temporary nature of the exercise by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) of the specific responsibilities, authorities and obligations under international law. We hope that the timetable that has been indicated in the text will be accelerated with a view to ending occupation expeditiously; that the Iraqi Interim Authority will be quickly constituted through a broad and inclusive process incorporating political elements which presently remain outside the Governing Council.
Mr. President,
9. The political process towards restoration of full Iraqi sovereignty would have gained in credibility and acceptability, within Iraq and internationally, if it was conducted under the authority and auspices of the United Nations. We understand the concerns and constraints of the Secretary General which prevent the presence of the United Nations international staff on the ground in Iraq. The security environment must improve to enable the United Nations and other international organizations to play their full and impartial role in Iraq’s political transition to full political independence. Yet, the supervision of this process by the United Nations can itself contribute to creating confidence among the Iraqi people which is essential to promote a climate of security in Iraq. We trust, therefore, that the “circumstances” referred to in the resolution which would enable the Secretary General to play an active role in Iraq’s political process will arise as soon as possible. Pakistan is confident that despite the tragedy of August 19, the United Nations will not be prepared to abdicate its responsibilities to the Iraqi people. We welcome the Secretary General’s statement this morning in this context. A UN role in over-seeing and assisting the political transition in Iraq can be discharged without assuming unacceptable risk to the UN personnel.
Mr. President,
10. The deployment of credible military capabilities in Iraq is no doubt essential, at present, to create an environment of security within which the political process and Iraq’s reconstruction can be implemented. However, the forces deployed must be acceptable to the Iraqi people and evoke their full cooperation otherwise they will be unable to improve security; on the contrary, their presence may intensify the insecurity.
11. It is for this reason, Mr. President, that during our consultations on the resolution, Pakistan has consistently advocated that the Multinational Force which was to be created should have a separate and distinct identity from the occupation forces; that its deployment should be the result of an invitation from the Iraqi people and; that it should take place with the concurrence of the States of the region. Unfortunately, these considerations could not be reflected in the resolution we have just adopted. Under these circumstances, Pakistan will not be able to contribute troops for the Multinational Force in Iraq.
Mr. President,
12. There are widespread concerns that the security situation in Iraq may deteriorate. To prevent this, the Coalition Powers and those assisting them must be able to win confidence of the Iraqi people and to convince them that they are working to promote their interests. Unless this aspect of the situation is addressed, there will continue to be resistance from those in Iraq who feel excluded from political process, apart from the additional dimension of terrorism which has emerged with greater frequency in Iraq.
13. We are all agreed that this resolution is not the last word on Iraq. Pakistan continues to believe that the international community would do well to open a process of broad consultations involving the entire Iraqi political spectrum and the Arab and Islamic countries to evolve a consensus on how best to restore Iraq’s sovereignty and political independence and improve its security environment. Pakistan stands ready to contribute to such a process.
Mr. President,
14. Pakistan is deeply committed to ensuring the welfare of the Iraqi people, restoring their sovereignty and political independence, ensuring Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity and promoting peace and stability in the entire region. Pakistan shares strong bonds of faith, culture and history with the Iraqi people and other States in the region. We fully support their aspirations. We will extend all possible cooperation, in ways and means acceptable to them to realize these aspirations.
I thank you, Mr. President.