IRAQ: In a revised resolution tabled at the UN security council in New York, the British and American governments have indicated that foreign troops could withdraw from Iraq by January 2006, or even sooner, unless asked to stay on by a democratically-elected Iraqi government.
UN envoy Mr Lakhdar Brahimi and Iraq's interim foreign minister Mr Hoshyar Zebari are expected to brief the security council at UN headquarters today on the formation of an interim Iraqi government that will assume sovereignty on June 30th.
The text of the draft resolution contains two major changes: it places command of the Iraqi army and police under the new interim government, and would end the mandate for a US-led multinational force once a fully democratic government is elected, expected by January 2006.
The new draft also acknowledges for the first time that the international force would be in Iraq "at the request of the incoming interim government." While it does not specifically allow the Iraqis to demand the force to leave, the US and Britain have said they will withdraw if asked.
The mandate for the force will expire when a fully-democratic government is in place - possibly in 18 months - but the resolution anticipates that the incoming government could make a formal request "to retain the presence of the multinational force."
British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said: "We've made it clear that the multinational force mandate isn't open-ended, but will end at a given moment once the political process finishes." The new interim prime minister, Mr Iyad Allawi, said on Tuesday that the multinational force will be asked to stay on and promised that Iraq's security forces will be a "pivotal partner".
The revised text was submitted on Tuesday evening, following the swearing in of the interim government in Baghdad. The US is pressing for a speedy endorsement of the resolution by the 15-member council before President George Bush hosts the G8 summit in Georgia on Tuesday.
After a three-hour debate, several security council countries continued to express reservations about the limits to sovereignty on offer to the interim government.
The debate centres around the role of the US-led coalition forces after June 30th, when the occupation ends. After this date the forces will become a US-commanded multinational force with authority to "take all necessary measures" for security and stability, "including by preventing and deterring terrorism".
Its relationship with the interim government would be spelled out in an exchange of letters after the resolution is passed, and is not dealt with in the text.
The resolution envisages that the international force mandate would be reviewed after 12 months, or sooner if requested by the Iraqi government, and expire on completion of the political process.
The process begins with the assumption of authority by the interim government on June 30th, followed by the selection of a national conference. Elections will take place in December or January to a transitional national assembly which would form a transitional government and draw up a constitution for elections to a fully-democratic government.
Diplomats say the fully-democratic government would be in place by January 2006, though this date is not specified in the text.
During this time, the security council "declares its readiness" to terminate the mandate if requested by the Iraqi transitional government.
China's UN Ambassador, Wang Guangya, said the restoration of "full sovereignty has not been fully reflected" in the text. A French diplomat also said: "We are not satisfied with the new version."
The Algerian ambassador, Abdallah Baali, said the resolution must contain clear language "that would say that the Iraqi government's point of view" will prevail in case of major military operations." Many Security Council members said they wanted to hear from Iraq's interim government and Mr Brahimi before voting.
After extensive discussions with his counterparts in France and Germany, US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell was said to be confident that the US could "accommodate the requests and the views" of council members.
The revised draft begins with a declaration "marking a new phase in Iraq's transition to a democratically elected government, and looking forward to the end of the occupation and the assumption of authority by a fully sovereign interim government of Iraq by June 30, 2004."
It states the UN will "play a leading role" in assisting the election process and promoting dialogue and consensus-building on the drafting of a national constitution.
Iraqi security forces will "progressively play a greater role and ultimately assume responsibility for the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq."