Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 26 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 March 2004. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 March 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on (a) the 28th February deadline for the approval of the Fundamental Law in Iraq and (b) the 31st May deadline for elections to the transitional assembly. - (Holding answer 9 March 2004).

Answer: Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on (a) the 28 February deadline for the approval of the Fundamental Law in Iraq and (b) the 31 May deadline for elections to the transitional assembly. [158148] Mr. Straw: [holding answer 9 March 2004]: The Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) was signed by the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) on 8 March after intensive debate. The agreement on a TAL is a great achievement. The UN's recent report on the holding of the elections in Iraq concluded that properly organised elections to a Transitional National Assembly would not be feasible until late 2004 at the earliest and more probably early 2005. The IGC and the CPA have accepted the UN's recommendations on timings for the elections.

Secondary information