08/14/2003

U.N. Security Council Sets Up Assistance Mission for Iraq

Resolution 1500 also welcomes establishment of Governing Council of Iraq

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1500 on August 14, establishing the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq.

The vote was 14 to 0 with Syria abstaining. The resolution was co-sponsored by the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Angola, Bulgaria, Chile, and Guinea.

The council also said it "welcomes the establishment of the broadly representative Governing Council of Iraq ... as an important step towards the formation by the people of Iraq of an internationally recognized, representative government that will exercise the sovereignty of Iraq."

Secretary General Kofi Annan had recommended that the council establish a U.N. mission of about 300 civilian personnel to oversee U.N. activities dealing with humanitarian, political, and reconstruction activities.

Following is the text of the resolution:

(begin text)

Security Council Resolution 1500
 
The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions, in particular Resolution 1483 (2003) of 22 May 2003,

Reaffirming the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq,

Reaffirming also the vital role for the United Nations in Iraq which was set out in relevant paragraphs of Resolution 1483,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 15 July 2003 (S/2003/715),

1. Welcomes the establishment of the broadly representative Governing Council of Iraq on 13 July 2003, as an important step towards the formation by the people of Iraq of an internationally recognized, representative government that will exercise the sovereignty of Iraq;

2. Decides to establish the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq to support the Secretary-General in the fulfillment of his mandate under Resolution 1483 in accordance with the structure and responsibilities set out in his report of 15 July 2003, for an initial period of twelve months;

3. Decides to remain seized of this matter.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)