Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-05-14-Speech-3-013"
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"en.20030514.1.3-013"2
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"Mr President, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the Greek Presidency and Commissioner Nielson for the very fine statements that they made here this morning, and to my Parliamentary colleagues for the very enlightening statements they have made as well.
The US Government has avowed its intention to hand over the sovereignty of Iraq to a representative Iraqi Government at a very early date. Two meetings of Iraqi political leaders have now taken place. The most recent, in Baghdad on 25 April, ended with an agreement to work to put together a transitional administration by 3 June 2003. This administration will then work to promulgate a new constitution for the people of Iraq and deal with other long-term government issues.
I very much welcome the fact that a draft resolution has been tabled at the United Nations on the subject of how to deal with the post-conflict situation in Iraq. I believe that there are a number of guiding yardsticks which must be adhered to in the context of addressing the future role of the United Nations in Iraq. The United Nations must play a central role in the reconstruction of Iraq. This must begin from a clear understanding that it is not the purpose of any United Nations involvement to legitimise the recent military conflict. The United Nations must be an equal partner, and not have a subordinate position limited to acquiescing to decisions made by the coalition in Iraq. It would be very unfair to the civilian population of Iraq to allow questions of principle to prevent effective United Nations engagement with immediate needs.
We should recall the comments of the Secretary-General of the United Nations when he said that we must find: 'unity of purpose in the post-war phase in Iraq'. The overriding aim must be to set aside past divisions and focus on what must and can be done to help the Iraqi people at this time.
From the perspective of the European Union we must set out exactly the likely future role for the European Union in Iraq. There was some general agreement at the last meeting of EU foreign ministers, held in Rhodes on 3 May, that the EU must play a stronger role in the post-conflict situation in Iraq.
The European Commission has already dispatched a needs-assessment mission to Iraq. There is also agreement that the Chargés d'Affaires could return to Iraq from the Member States of the Union.
There has been no agreement to date on whether or not the European Union should appoint a special representative for Iraq. This latter issue is one very important matter which must be given urgent political consideration. The European Union should engage in the reconstruction of Iraq and in a situation where the United Nations is at the centre of this effort. EU resources would then be made available to fund key reconstruction activities, such as the rebuilding of basic social infrastructure, including health, education, water and sanitation services.
It is only right and proper that sanctions against Iraq be lifted. They serve no purpose whatsoever at this juncture, as they were originally designed to target a regime which now no longer exists. UNMOVIC and the International Atomic Energy Agency should return to Iraq at the earliest opportunity and complete their mission. The use of Iraq's oil revenues must also play a key part in the actual reconstruction of Iraq, but any use of such monies must be undertaken in the best interests of the Iraqi people, who must play a role in any such decisions as fully and as early as possible.
A central role for the United Nations would confer real legitimacy on whatever interim arrangements are put in place in Iraq. It would also contribute to lessening political tensions in the Middle East region and to reducing the political instability that is so sadly but evidently there at this particular time."@en1
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