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Prime Minister

Answer

Mr. Allen: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has made proposals to the US Administration for the United Nations to assume greater responsibilities for the reconstruction and internal security of Iraq and for the creation of a new Iraqi Government and representative political institutions. [123751] The Prime Minister: President Bush and I made clear our support for a vital role for the United Nations at Hillsborough on 8 April 2003. We co-sponsored Security Council resolution 1483, which appointed the UN Special Representative for Iraq and set out the vital role the UN should play in humanitarian relief, the reconstruction of Iraq, and the restoration and establishment of national and local institutions for representative governance. The Special Representative, Vieira Sergio de Mello, is now playing a full part in discussions in Iraq on the implementation of UNSCR 1483 and is working closely with US Ambassador Bremer CPA, other senior coalition representatives (e.g. UK Special Representative, John Sawers) and emerging Iraqi leaders. In addition to the UN's humanitarian and reconstruction work in Iraq, UK, US and UN officials are exploring possibilities for UN involvement in policing, law and order, legal reform, human rights, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of military forces (DDR), and support for an Iraqi Interim Administration when formed, including help in drafting a new constitution and preparing for elections. We very much welcome the expertise the UN can bring to the reconstruction of Iraq.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

123751; 408 c616W;408 c614W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Iraq Politics and government Security United Nations USA Reconstruction

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk