Global Policy Forum

June 9, 2006

Security Council

Distr. GENERAL SC/2006/377 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

Letter dated 9 June 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

I have the honour to enclose herewith a letter from Hoshyar Zebari, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, regarding the Security Council review of the mandate of the multinational force and the arrangements for the Development Fund for Iraq and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (see annex).

I would appreciate it if the present letter and its annex could be circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Hamid Al-Bayati
Ambassador
Permanent Representative

Annex to the letter dated 9 June 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

On 15 December 2005, the people of Iraq voted for their first constitutional Government, a Government which has now assumed office pursuant to the permanent Constitution. These developments complete the political process envisioned by the Transitional Administrative Law and Security Council resolution 1546 (2004), and constitute monumental and momentous steps in democratizing Iraq.

While great achievements have been gained by the people of Iraq in the realm of political development, the continuation of the mandate of the multinational force in Iraq remains necessary and essential for our security, through joint cooperation between the multinational force and Iraqi security forces, until such time that Iraqi forces will be able to provide security on their own.

I am aware that the mandate of the multinational force is due for review, as requested by the Prime Minister of Iraq in his letter dated 27 October 2005 (Security Council resolution 1637 (2005), annex I.

In respect of this review, the Government of Iraq requests the continued assistance of the international community in providing security and stability in Iraq, and in preventing terrorists and money and material to support terrorism from crossing the border into Iraq. We acknowledge that Iraq faces an insurgency, including foreign elements, which uses the means and methods of terrorism in its attempt to disrupt and prevent the transition of Iraq to a pluralistic democracy, one at peace with itself and its neighbours.

The Government of Iraq, together with the multinational force, is now in the midst of the process to build up security forces so that Iraqis can assume full responsibility for Iraqi security. Members of all of the multifarious communities of Iraq have joined in this effort, and volunteers for service in Iraqi military and security forces represent a broad cross-section of the country's ethnic and religious communities.

The Government of Iraq welcomes and thanks the multinational force and participating States for their contributions to security and stability in Iraq. We express our gratitude for the role played by the multinational force under resolution 1637 (2005), particularly the partnership of the Government of Iraq and the multinational force on the full range of policy and security issues.

The Government of Iraq reiterates its gratitude for international security assistance from other sources, including the NATO training mission, the United Nations Protection Force and bilateral cooperation in training Iraqi security forces.

My Government looks forward to the day when our Iraqi forces assume full responsibility for defeating the armed insurgency in Iraq and maintain national security. Until then, the Government of Iraq welcomes the continued presence of the multinational force as Iraq continues its democratic and economic transition and reconstruction.

I am also aware that the time is ripe for a review of the mandate of the Development Fund for Iraq and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board. The Government of Iraq notes the important role played by the Fund and the board in ensuring and demonstrating that the oil resources of Iraq are being used transparently for the benefit of the Iraqi people. We recognize that the Fund and the Board play a meaningful role in confirming for donors and creditors that Iraq is managing its resources and debts responsibly to the best benefit of the Iraqi people. To that end, the Government of Iraq welcomes the continuation of the current arrangements for the Fund and the Board as extended by the Security Council in resolution 1637 (2005).

(Signed) Hoshyar Zebari
Minister for Foreign Affairs