Press statement on Iraq by Security Council President

(Delayed in transmission.)

The following press statement was issued by Security Council President Emyr Jones Parry ( United Kingdom) on 16 December 2005:

The members of the Security Council welcome Iraq’s 15 December Council of Representatives election, a key step in the political process endorsed by United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 (2004).  The members of the Security Council commend the courage of the millions of Iraqis who, braving difficult conditions and the threat of violence, again demonstrated their commitment to a peaceful, democratic political process and their willingness to decide their political future through peaceful means.  The election was a key opportunity for the Iraqi people to determine who governs them and how the newly ratified Constitution is to be implemented, interpreted and possibly amended, according to the procedure that it sets out.

The members of the Security Council are particularly encouraged that political parties representing all of Iraq’s communities participated in the election and by reports suggesting high voter turnout across Iraq.  Council members look forward to the rapid formation of a representative Government and to the review process envisaged in the Constitution.  They stress the importance of inclusiveness, dialogue and national unity as Iraq’s political development moves forward.  They commend in this regard the active role of the United Nations and the efforts of the League of Arab States in support of the political process endorsed by United Nations Security Council resolution 1546.

The members of the Security Council also applaud the efforts of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, the thousands of Iraqi electoral workers, and many others who made the election possible.  They commend the support given by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and other international electoral experts.  Members of the Security Council note the important role played by the Iraqi Security Forces, supported by the Multinational Force, in providing security to the election.  The members further note the important role played by the large number of domestic and international monitors in observing the preparation and the organization of the vote.

The members of the Security Council reaffirm their support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and for a federal, democratic, pluralist and unified Iraq, in which there is full respect for human rights.  In doing so, they call on the international community to continue and augment assistance to Iraq.  As Iraqis take this historic step, it is important that they see the international community reiterate its support.

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For information media • not an official record