UNITED NATIONS CONGRATULATES THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ ON ELECTION
Security Council press statement on iraq
Security Council
SC/8528
IK/521
The following press statement on Iraq was delivered today by Security Council President Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, Foreign Minister of Romania:
The members of the Security Council welcome the Iraqi referendum completed on 15 October, an important step in the political process endorsed by United Nations Security Council resolution 1546. They commend the courage of the millions of Iraqis who, braving difficult conditions and the threat of violence, again demonstrated their commitment to a peaceful, democratic political process and their willingness to decide their political future through peaceful means.
The members of the Security Council also welcome the efforts of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq and the thousands of Iraqi electoral workers who made the referendum possible. They commend the support given by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and other international electoral and constitutional experts. Members of the Security Council note the important role played by the Iraqi Security Forces in providing security to the referendum.
The members of the Security Council note that, whatever the results of the referendum, the next major milestone in the political process will be the national election scheduled for 15 December 2005. They underline the importance of participation by all Iraqis in that election to ensure that the next assembly, which will take vital decisions about Iraq’s future, represents the full diversity of Iraq. Council members stress the importance of inclusiveness, reconciliation and national unity and, in this regard, welcome recent statements and actions by Iraqi leaders.
The members of the Security Council look forward to continued progress in Iraq’s political transition, consistent with United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 (2004). The members of the Security Council reaffirm their support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and for a federal, democratic, pluralist and unified Iraq, in which there is full respect for human rights.
SECRETARY-GENERAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO COURAGE OF IRAQI PEOPLE WHO VOTED
Secretary-General
SG/SM/10168
IK/520
SECRETARY-GENERAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO COURAGE OF IRAQI PEOPLE WHO VOTED
Oct 17/05 IN REFERENDUM, NOTES OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE AWAY FROM VIOLENCE
Issued on Saturday, 15 October, by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
For the second time this year, the people of Iraq have braved difficult conditions and the threat of violence to exercise their vote. The referendum has been an important opportunity for the Iraqi people to express their political views.
The Secretary-General pays tribute to the courage of the Iraqi people and congratulates the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, as well as the thousands of Iraqi election workers and monitors, on having organized and carried out the referendum in such challenging circumstances.
The counting process is expected to take some time, so preliminary official results are unlikely to be available for at least several days. Whatever the outcome, the Secretary-General believes that this referendum offers an opportunity for all Iraqis to move away from violence and to unite in a spirit of national reconciliation to build a democratic, unified and prosperous Iraq. The United Nations will continue to do all it can to help the Iraqi people to that end.
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