Iraq resolution “very soon” Straw tells MPs
The Foreign Secretary said that he expects the UN to pass a resolution on Iraq very soon.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon Jack Straw said “the path to a free and democratic Iraq is now clear”.
The transfer of power to the interim Iraqi government is scheduled for 30th June.
Mr Straw told MPs that a UK-US resolution on plans for a transfer of power to Iraqis would be announced “very soon”, with UN Security Council discussions on the third draft continuing.
He welcomed the new Iraqi Government, under the interim Iraqi Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, and said that the new cabinet would play a key role in drafting a new constitution for Iraq.
The Foreign Secretary went on to pay tribute to Britain’s former special representative Sir Jeremy Greenstock and “the outstanding work” of UN ambassador, Lakhdar Brahimi.
He also stressed that the draft UN resolution provides a mandate to withdraw the international forces in Iraq at the end of 2005, with the Iraqi government having the option to terminate the arrangements earlier if they so wish.
