Regional Initiative On Iraq: We Welcome The Planned Transfer Of Sovereignty To Newly Formed Iraqi Interim Government

ISTANBUL - The Regional Initiative on Iraq expressed its pleasure with the planned transfer of sovereignty to the newly formed Iraqi interim government by June 30, 2004.
The representatives of the countries of the Regional Initiative on Iraq held a special meeting upon the invitation of Turkey in the course of the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul on Tuesday.
The statement, which was released at the end of the meeting, said, ''representatives of the countries of the Regional Initiative on Iraq reaffirmed the independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and the centrality of these cardinal principles for the stability of Iraq and the region.''
The Regional Initiative on Iraq welcomed the planned transfer of sovereignty to the newly formed Iraqi interim government by June 30, 2004, stressing that this transfer must be full and wished the interim government of Iraq success.
''We stressed the need for the United Nations to play a central role in assisting Iraqis in their institution-building and election preparation, and expressed the hope that the United Nations will be able to perform its functions in Iraq in security and with the full cooperation of all,'' it said.
The Regional Initiative on Iraq emphasized that the foreign forces in the country should remain strictly under the United Nations mandate defining the framework and conditions for the presence of the multi-national force after the end of occupation as stipulated under the United Nations Security Council resolution 1546.
''The security situation in Iraq remains as a major challenge. The provision of security and stability is essential to the completion of the political process in Iraq,'' it said.
The Regional Initiative on Iraq condemned the terrorist acts and the attacks against civilians, Iraqi security forces, humanitarian and religious institutions as well as international organizations and diplomatic missions in Iraq.
''Likewise, we drew attention to the ongoing terrorist presence in Iraq and to terrorist activities in and from Iraq which threaten the security of its neighbors and to the responsibility of the Iraqi interim government to deal resolutely with their presence and activities. We supported the Iraqis in building their national security institutions also by dismantling all militia presence, that should assume full responsibility of the country's security in the nearest future,'' it said.
Reaffirming the importance of international cooperation and support for strengthening Iraq's security and stability, the Regional Initiative on Iraq reiterated the importance of the role of Iraq's neighbors in support of the Iraqi people's efforts to achieve security and prosperity.
Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria formed the Regional Initiative on Iraq.
(UK-AÖ) 15.06.2004