Talibani UN Speech Transcript 09-24-09
Part 1 0f 2. Part 2 follows in thread.
http://www.un.org/ga/64/generaldebate/pdf/IQ_en.pdf
Republic Of Iraq
Statement by H.E. Mr. Jalal Talabani President of The Republic of Iraq, At the General Debate of the 64t h Session of the United Nations General Assembly New York, 24 September 2009
Mr. President, Allow me to congratulate you and your country for assuming the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session and our delegation will offer its assistance and support to you. We are confident that with your wisdom and experience you will successfully complete the tasks assigned to you to achieve the
UN objectives. I would like to also thank your predecessor, H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto
Brockmann, for his presidency of the General Assembly during its previous session.
The current political process in Iraq, established since the collapse of the former regime in 2003, has led to radical political change towards building a unified democratic federal Iraq with respected constitutional institutions. Realizing these
objectives and success has not been easy and not without challenges at the forefront of
which were domestic and regional forces attempting to return Iraq to period prior to
the change. These forces have used various means including committing the worst crimes and it allied itself with organized crime and networks of international terrorism to destabilize the security and stability of Iraq to achieve the above objective.
Significant developments have occurred in Iraq since I last stood here before you last year. The most important of which was the signing of the agreement between Iraq and the United States on the withdrawal of the US troops, organization of their temporary presence in Iraq, and the signing of the strategic framework agreement with the United States. Based on this agreement, US troops withdrew from Iraqi cities the
end of last June, and Iraqi forces assumed responsibility for security throughout Iraq.
The security situation has greatly improved under the government of National unity and its endeavors towards national dialogue and national reconciliation projects with all political parties and social forces, be it parties involved in the political process or outside it of those who believe in a peaceful rotation of power. The Iraqi government is also continuing its plan "Imposing the Law" in confronting terrorist groups, armed militias and outlaws, and those working to sabotage the political process and undermine the security and stability in Iraq and the region.
The year 2009 witnessed great success which reflected positively on Iraq's external relations. This year witnessed a- high-level Arab, regional and international visits and the reopening of their own embassies in Baghdad. This has taken place within the framework of the Iraqi government's efforts to restore its international status. The Iraqi government will continue to deepen its friendship, cooperation and good neighborliness in order to restore its role in the Arab, regional and international community in a manner that strengthens security and stability in the region. The economic situation also witnessed improvement through a set of economic and financial laws issued by the Iraqi government and that contributed to an increase in income and improvement of purchasing power and level of social welfare. The Iraqi government prepared an ambitious budget for 2009, not only for reconstruction, but also to build a sound and healthy economy towards progress and prosperity. The Iraqi government reviews this budget and its economic programs in light of the financial crisis facing the world.
Improvement in these fields has encouraged a significant number of internally and externally displaced Iraqis to voluntarily return to Iraq. The Iraqi government has taken a series of measures and decisions aimed at providing an appropriate environment for the voluntary return of displaced Iraqis because the government believes that the best solution for them is their return to their country and the homes they left. We therefore call upon states hosting the Iraqi refugees and international organizations and civil society organizations working to promote a culture of
voluntary return because Iraq needs the expertise of all Iraqis to contribute in building the future of their country.
The most important challenges we face in the near future is the legislative elections due to be held in January 2010 for which the political parties have already started preparations. The success of these elections will put the current political regime
based on democracy, pluralism and the peaceful transfer of power on the right path. The success of the elections will transfer the political process from the establishment stage to one of permanence and stability and will promote stability and security in Iraq. The elections will strengthen our capabilities in building national institutions qualified to fulfill the requisites of a strong state based on law, living peacefully with its own people and neighbors, and to be a key factor in the security and stability in the region. This will reflect positively on Iraq's Arab, regional and international relations and its active return to the international community.
Mr. President, The real danger currently facing Iraq is outside interference in its internal affairs which has committed the worst crimes against innocent Iraqis from various segments of society, men, women, children, and the elderly. In an attempt to destabilize security and stability achieved in Iraq during 2008 and 2009, Iraq has witnessed recently a series of bombings and terrorist attacks, the last of which was the "bloody Wednesday" explosions that targeted the Iraqi ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance which targeted the country's sovereign institutions on 19 August 2009. This led to many innocent victims, including many employees of the government, diplomats and administrators. These criminal acts and large number of
victims have reached the level of genocide and crimes against humanity subject to punishment under international law. We believe these acts at this level of organization, complexity and magnitude cannot be planned, funded and implemented without support of external forces and parties and primary investigations indicate the
involvement of external parties in the process.
Therefore, the government of the Republic of Iraq puts this important matter on the table of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and requests its submission to the Security Council for the purpose of forming an independent international investigation commission due to the nature and scope of the committed crimes which require an investigation outside the jurisdiction of Iraq and bring those found guilty to a special international criminal court.
The Iraqi government finds itself obliged to resort to the United Nations to protect its people and stop the bleeding of innocent Iraqis and we are looking to the assistance of the international community and its support to the Iraqi position in the formation of an independent international commission to investigate the crimes of
terrorism against the Iraqi people we request the United Nations Secretary General to name a Senior Official to evaluate the extent of foreign intervention that threatens the security and integrity of Iraq and to consider terrorist crimes as genocide. We also look for better cooperation and coordination with the neighboring countries and other
concerned states to control Iraq's borders, exchange information, coordinate efforts, and prevent the groups that support terrorism and work gainst Iraq under any cover.
Mr. President, We are currently working towards the settlement of issues relating to Iraq in the
Security Council inherited from The former regime that led to Commitments which we are attempting to fulfill. Iraq will continue to work with relevant parties and stakeholders at the United Nations to reach a settlement satisfactory to all parties and without prejudice to our obligations under Security Council resolutions. The situation in Iraq as a result of the major positive developments that have taken place since the
fall of the former regime and The removal of the dictatorship is fundamentally different from the situation that existed when the Security Council adopted resolution 661 in 1990. Therefore, and after the adoption of Security Council resolution 1859 in 2008 and the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations pursuant to the ffmT~ paragraph of the resolution (document S/2009/385), we believe that time has come for the Security Council to act in response to the Secretary-General's report, and under the mandate entrusted to him based on the aforementioned resolution, and on the basis of his responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, to review resolutions relevant to Iraq adopted under chapter VII starting with resolution 661 of 1990 and in a form that restores Iraq's international status. Here, I must point out that since the
collapse of the former regime in 2003, Iraq has been keen on respecting international legitimacy and to deal with the Security Council resolutions relevant to Iraq and with the situation between Iraq and Kuwait with highest degree of responsibility and respect.
Part 1 0f 2. Part 2 follows in thread.
http://www.un.org/ga/64/generaldebate/pdf/IQ_en.pdf
Republic Of Iraq
Statement by H.E. Mr. Jalal Talabani President of The Republic of Iraq, At the General Debate of the 64t h Session of the United Nations General Assembly New York, 24 September 2009
Mr. President, Allow me to congratulate you and your country for assuming the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session and our delegation will offer its assistance and support to you. We are confident that with your wisdom and experience you will successfully complete the tasks assigned to you to achieve the
UN objectives. I would like to also thank your predecessor, H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto
Brockmann, for his presidency of the General Assembly during its previous session.
The current political process in Iraq, established since the collapse of the former regime in 2003, has led to radical political change towards building a unified democratic federal Iraq with respected constitutional institutions. Realizing these
objectives and success has not been easy and not without challenges at the forefront of
which were domestic and regional forces attempting to return Iraq to period prior to
the change. These forces have used various means including committing the worst crimes and it allied itself with organized crime and networks of international terrorism to destabilize the security and stability of Iraq to achieve the above objective.
Significant developments have occurred in Iraq since I last stood here before you last year. The most important of which was the signing of the agreement between Iraq and the United States on the withdrawal of the US troops, organization of their temporary presence in Iraq, and the signing of the strategic framework agreement with the United States. Based on this agreement, US troops withdrew from Iraqi cities the
end of last June, and Iraqi forces assumed responsibility for security throughout Iraq.
The security situation has greatly improved under the government of National unity and its endeavors towards national dialogue and national reconciliation projects with all political parties and social forces, be it parties involved in the political process or outside it of those who believe in a peaceful rotation of power. The Iraqi government is also continuing its plan "Imposing the Law" in confronting terrorist groups, armed militias and outlaws, and those working to sabotage the political process and undermine the security and stability in Iraq and the region.
The year 2009 witnessed great success which reflected positively on Iraq's external relations. This year witnessed a- high-level Arab, regional and international visits and the reopening of their own embassies in Baghdad. This has taken place within the framework of the Iraqi government's efforts to restore its international status. The Iraqi government will continue to deepen its friendship, cooperation and good neighborliness in order to restore its role in the Arab, regional and international community in a manner that strengthens security and stability in the region. The economic situation also witnessed improvement through a set of economic and financial laws issued by the Iraqi government and that contributed to an increase in income and improvement of purchasing power and level of social welfare. The Iraqi government prepared an ambitious budget for 2009, not only for reconstruction, but also to build a sound and healthy economy towards progress and prosperity. The Iraqi government reviews this budget and its economic programs in light of the financial crisis facing the world.
Improvement in these fields has encouraged a significant number of internally and externally displaced Iraqis to voluntarily return to Iraq. The Iraqi government has taken a series of measures and decisions aimed at providing an appropriate environment for the voluntary return of displaced Iraqis because the government believes that the best solution for them is their return to their country and the homes they left. We therefore call upon states hosting the Iraqi refugees and international organizations and civil society organizations working to promote a culture of
voluntary return because Iraq needs the expertise of all Iraqis to contribute in building the future of their country.
The most important challenges we face in the near future is the legislative elections due to be held in January 2010 for which the political parties have already started preparations. The success of these elections will put the current political regime
based on democracy, pluralism and the peaceful transfer of power on the right path. The success of the elections will transfer the political process from the establishment stage to one of permanence and stability and will promote stability and security in Iraq. The elections will strengthen our capabilities in building national institutions qualified to fulfill the requisites of a strong state based on law, living peacefully with its own people and neighbors, and to be a key factor in the security and stability in the region. This will reflect positively on Iraq's Arab, regional and international relations and its active return to the international community.
Mr. President, The real danger currently facing Iraq is outside interference in its internal affairs which has committed the worst crimes against innocent Iraqis from various segments of society, men, women, children, and the elderly. In an attempt to destabilize security and stability achieved in Iraq during 2008 and 2009, Iraq has witnessed recently a series of bombings and terrorist attacks, the last of which was the "bloody Wednesday" explosions that targeted the Iraqi ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance which targeted the country's sovereign institutions on 19 August 2009. This led to many innocent victims, including many employees of the government, diplomats and administrators. These criminal acts and large number of
victims have reached the level of genocide and crimes against humanity subject to punishment under international law. We believe these acts at this level of organization, complexity and magnitude cannot be planned, funded and implemented without support of external forces and parties and primary investigations indicate the
involvement of external parties in the process.
Therefore, the government of the Republic of Iraq puts this important matter on the table of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and requests its submission to the Security Council for the purpose of forming an independent international investigation commission due to the nature and scope of the committed crimes which require an investigation outside the jurisdiction of Iraq and bring those found guilty to a special international criminal court.
The Iraqi government finds itself obliged to resort to the United Nations to protect its people and stop the bleeding of innocent Iraqis and we are looking to the assistance of the international community and its support to the Iraqi position in the formation of an independent international commission to investigate the crimes of
terrorism against the Iraqi people we request the United Nations Secretary General to name a Senior Official to evaluate the extent of foreign intervention that threatens the security and integrity of Iraq and to consider terrorist crimes as genocide. We also look for better cooperation and coordination with the neighboring countries and other
concerned states to control Iraq's borders, exchange information, coordinate efforts, and prevent the groups that support terrorism and work gainst Iraq under any cover.
Mr. President, We are currently working towards the settlement of issues relating to Iraq in the
Security Council inherited from The former regime that led to Commitments which we are attempting to fulfill. Iraq will continue to work with relevant parties and stakeholders at the United Nations to reach a settlement satisfactory to all parties and without prejudice to our obligations under Security Council resolutions. The situation in Iraq as a result of the major positive developments that have taken place since the
fall of the former regime and The removal of the dictatorship is fundamentally different from the situation that existed when the Security Council adopted resolution 661 in 1990. Therefore, and after the adoption of Security Council resolution 1859 in 2008 and the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations pursuant to the ffmT~ paragraph of the resolution (document S/2009/385), we believe that time has come for the Security Council to act in response to the Secretary-General's report, and under the mandate entrusted to him based on the aforementioned resolution, and on the basis of his responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, to review resolutions relevant to Iraq adopted under chapter VII starting with resolution 661 of 1990 and in a form that restores Iraq's international status. Here, I must point out that since the
collapse of the former regime in 2003, Iraq has been keen on respecting international legitimacy and to deal with the Security Council resolutions relevant to Iraq and with the situation between Iraq and Kuwait with highest degree of responsibility and respect.