§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government: What are the specific proposals for the role of the United Nations in the evolution of political institutions in Iraq. [HL256]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe vital role of the United Nations in Iraq has been set out in Security Council Resolutions 1483, 1500 and 1511. In particular, UNSCR 1511 requested the Secretary-General to make available, as circumstances allow, the resources of the United Nations to support Iraqi institutions in drafting a new constitution and in the holding of democratic elections.
On 15 November, the President of the Iraqi Governing Council announced the new plan outlining the timetable for the drafting of the constitution and holding of elections. He also asked the Security Council to appoint a new Special Representative to Iraq, and formally requested a UN role in support of the political process.
In his report of 10 December, Kofi Annan announced the appointment of Ross Mountain as interim UN Special Representative to Iraq and set out his views on the UN role in Iraq, outlining the UN's willingness to lend its assistance to the electoral and constitutional processes, subject to circumstances and an Iraqi request. He also set out a wide range of potential UN activities in humanitarian, development, human rights and civil society fields. We welcome the 131WA UN position, and will work with the Secretary-General to ensure the UN can play a vital role as set out in UNSCR 1511, in particular in support of the political process.