Statement In Security Council
Statement by Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to
the United Nations, in explanation of vote on the Security Council Resolution
1483/2003 on Iraq (May 21, 2003)
I welcome the presence of the distinguished Secretary-General at this
important meeting.
- During and after the Iraq conflict, the welfare and security of the
fraternal people of Iraq has remained a fundamental concern for the people
and Government of Pakistan. The Iraqi people have suffered tremendously over
last few decades. Their suffering must now come to an end.
- Pakistan attempted sincerely to prevent another conflict in the Gulf and
regretted its outbreak.
- Our position on this Resolution has been guided by the objectives of
promoting the welfare of the Iraqi people, peace and stability in the region
and restoring the international Rule of law in accordance with the Charter
of the UN.
- Pakistan has supported this resolution for several reasons:
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One, it specifically upholds the principles of the UN
Charter relating to Iraq. It affirms the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Iraq. It stresses the right of the Iraqi people to
freely determine their own political future and control their own
natural resources. It affirms the imperative of respect for
international law, especially the Geneva Conventions and the Hague
Regulations;
Two, this resolution lifts the long-enforced sanctions
against the Iraqi people and opens the door to the provision of
relief and humanitarian assistance to them, to the revival of the
Iraqi economy, to Iraq’s reconstruction, and the installation of a
representative government which can be recognized by the
international community and soon take its place here at the UN with
the comity of free nations;
Three, this resolution accords an independent and vital role
to the United Nations and to the Secretary-General, and his Special
Representative, in the provision of humanitarian relief to the Iraqi
people, in the reconstruction of Iraq, in the management of its
resources and economic revival, and in facilitating the process of
bringing forth a representative government in Iraq. Pakistan looks
forward to the early appointment of the Secretary-General’s Special
Representative. We expect that the role of the United Nations and
the Secretary-General will become even more central in Iraq in the
coming months.
Four, the resolution, especially PP-14 & 15 and OP-1, open
the door to the friends of Iraq to contribute to the welfare of the
Iraqi people, including for the creation of an environment of peace
and security in the area. |
- Pakistan like several other members of the Security Council, has agreed,
due to the exigencies of the circumstances to the delegation of certain
powers by the Security Council to the occupying powers, represented by the
Authority. It is our expectation that the responsibilities entrusted to the
Authority under this resolution will be exercised transparently and fairly
and above all, in the interests of the Iraqi people. We welcome the
continuing role which the UN will play in the oversight functions.
- It is necessary, in this context, to recall that, under the Charter, the
powers delegated by the Security Council under this resolution are not
open-ended or unqualified. They should be exercised in ways that conform
with the “principles of justice and international law”, mentioned in
Article-I of the Charter and especially in conformity with the Geneva
Conventions and the Hague Regulations, besides the UN Charter itself.
- The resolution is not an omnibus as observed by the UK. There are
several issues which will have to be addressed by the Security Council in
the coming weeks and months. These include:
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One, the certification by the UN and the IAEA that Iraq
is free of WMD;
Two, the ending of the arms embargo against Iraq;
Three, the clarification and the possible enlargement of the
UN’s role in future;
Four, specific measures for the recovery of Iraq’s looted
archeological heritage;
Five, the problem of Kuwait and third country missing
nationals. |
- Pakistan welcomes the provisions in the resolution relating to regular
reporting by the Secretary-General, as well as by the US and UK,
representing the Authority, to the Security Council.
- It is Pakistan’s earnest hope that a representative government will soon
be restored and Iraq’s sovereignty and political independence will be fully
restored as soon as possible.
- A secure and stable regional environment is imperative for the
realization of the fundamental objective of this resolution. Pakistan
continues to hope that there will be parallel progress in resolving the
other outstanding conflicts and disputes which bedevil this region.