Allow me
at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, and our brothers,
the people of Qatar, on your election to the presidency
of the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly. Our
delegation will be of assistance to you in the
performance of your duties, and we are confident that
your experience and wisdom will be an important
factor in the success of the Assembly’s work. Our
thanks also go to your predecessor, Mr. Joseph Deiss,
for his presidency of the General Assembly at its
outgoing session. I should also like to warmly
congratulate the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon,
on his appointment to a second term and wish him
every success in his work.
It is an honour to stand in front of the Assembly
one more time to brief members on the most notable
developments that Iraq is witnessing as it works on
building a modern State that lives in peace and security
with its people and its neighbours. Iraq is building a
homeland where everyone lives in peace and stability
regardless of sectarian, ethnic or factional affiliations;
a system where the rule of law prevails and human
rights are respected; and a system that is based on
democracy and the peaceful alternation of power. That
is the basis for the path on which we have embarked
and are continually implementing.
The events currently taking place in the Arab
region have proved the rightness of the path that we
have been following. The values of change and reform,
which Iraq has called and will continue to call for, have
become an essential part of the aspirations of the Arab
people for freedom and for their ability to choose their
own political system on the basis of democracy and
human rights.
We have come a long way in building our
political system, which is based on the National
Collaboration Government. Iraq has started to restore
the elements of strength that were lost due to more than
three decades of internal and external wars conducted
by the former dictatorship, due also to the international
isolation and the sanctions that Iraq experienced and to
the collapse of security institutions and outbreak of
sectarian strife that threatened its national existence
after the collapse of the former regime. We began to
overcome these negative elements and they became
history, thanks to our determination and steadfastness
and with the help and support of the international
community.
With regard to development, having witnessed
the big improvement in security in Iraq, we are still
relying on the five-year plan for the years 2010-2014
announced by the Iraqi Government on 4 April 2010
and on the licensing rounds held between Iraq and
major companies on oil and natural gas investments to
improve our oil industry. That was done to turn the
wheels of development and push the economy to
advanced levels.
It is expected that the five-year plan that has
already started will include about 2,700 strategic
projects in different sectors, with a cost of $186 billion.
The plan would provide about four million job
opportunities, which will positively deal with the
unemployment problem in Iraq. It is hoped that by the
end of this plan, the per capita income of Iraqi citizens
will have increased to $8,000 annually and poverty
levels will have decreased by 16 per cent.
In addition, we were able to get rid of the
sanctions and restrictions imposed on Iraq as a result of
the invasion of Kuwait. On the basis of Security
Council resolutions 1956 (2010), 1957 (2010) and
1958 (2010), adopted on 15 December 2010, Iraq has
been freed completely from all the restrictions imposed
on it, which had prevented the country from taking
advantage of scientific and technological advances, and
has gained sovereignty over its financial resources.
After that important stage in building our State,
we feel that we are taking firm steps on the road to
democracy and development and that we are opening
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the doors to investment in Iraq. Therefore, the
economic policy of Iraq is essentially based on
encouraging investment and providing the appropriate
legislative environment to protect investors and their
capital so that Iraq can become a safe and fertile
investing environment in many essential sectors, such
as oil, natural gas, electricity, reconstruction,
infrastructure and other economic sectors. From this
rostrum I call on all countries to open collaboration
channels with Iraq in the field of investment and to
take advantage of the available opportunities.
Iraqi Kurdistan has witnessed important
developments in the fields of construction, the
economy, the culture and others. Thousands of villages
that were destroyed by the former regime have been
rebuilt. Cities, towns and roadways have been
modernized. The region now has more than 15 public
and private universities with more than 100,000
students, compared to the past when there was only one
university with a few thousand students.
At the end of this year the United States forces
will withdraw, according to the agreement signed
between the two countries in 2008. During this year,
our security forces have shown a great ability to
combat terrorism and provide security. These forces are
capable and will efficiently fill the vacuum that the
withdrawal of the United States forces will create. That
will promote Iraqi national abilities to maintain the
gains achieved in the new Iraq.
However, the need will push the Government of
Iraq to keep numbers of American experts and others in
order to benefit from their experience in the fields of
training and capacity-building, according to Iraq’s
needs. On this occasion, on behalf of the Government
and people of Iraq, I should like to express our thanks
and appreciation to the United States, other friendly
States and the United Nations that provided assistance
and support to the Iraqi people and Government in
order to enhance democracy and reconstruction.
I avail myself of the opportunity of being here in
New York to express to the people of New York and to
all Americans feelings of sympathy and solidarity on
the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on
11 September.
Regarding Iraq’s international and regional
relations, the Constitution of Iraq and the national
programme of the current Iraqi Government determine
the general foundations for our foreign policy. They
provide that Iraq is a founding and effective member of
the League of Arab States and is committed to its
Charter. Iraq is also a member of the Islamic world. On
this basis Iraq is working to host the Arab summit at
the end of March 2012.
Moreover, Iraq respects the principles of good
neighbourliness and is committed to non-interference
in the internal affairs of other States. It seeks to solve
disputes by peaceful means, establishes its relations on
the basis of common interests and reciprocity, and
respects its international obligations. That is why we
invite our two neighbours, Turkey and the Islamic
Republic of Iran, to resort to diplomacy and positive
dialogue in order to solve the issues and to stop
bombing Iraqi territories in the Kurdistan region,
which is causing many innocent civilian victims. I
avail myself of this opportunity to thank His Holiness
Khamenei of the Islamic Republic of Iran for releasing
the two American prisoners in Iran.
With regard to our obligations to disarmament
and nuclear non-proliferation, the Constitution of Iraq
was clear in determining the position of Iraq
concerning this issue. Article 9 E of the Iraqi
Constitution provides that
“The Iraqi Government shall respect and
implement Iraq’s international obligations
regarding the non-proliferation, non-development,
non-production, and non-use of nuclear,
chemical, and biological weapons, and shall
prohibit associated equipment, materiel,
technologies, and delivery systems for use in the
development, manufacture, production, and use
of such weapons.”
On this clear position and commitment of Iraq to
international instruments concerning disarmament, the
Security Council on 15 December 2010 adopted
resolution 1957 (2010), which lifted all restrictions that
were imposed on Iraq.
In this context we wish to confirm the legitimate
right of States to the peaceful use of nuclear power and
its technologies according to the rules and provisions
of the relevant international conventions. This right
constitutes one of the foundations of the disarmament
system and non-proliferation. Within this approach and
with regard to the nuclear issue concerning the Islamic
Republic of Iran, we believe in the legitimate right of
States to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
That right is guaranteed by international instruments, at
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the forefront of which is the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
We affirm the importance of reaching a peaceful
solution in dealing with this issue. Dialogue and calm
diplomacy are the best means to achieve that goal. On
the other hand, any escalation will prejudice the
interests of all parties and will put the security of the
region at great risk.
Iraq is concerned about the tragic situation of the
brotherly Palestinian people as a result of Israeli
practices, which are incompatible with international
laws, customs and international humanitarian law. Iraq
is doing everything in its power to support the struggle
of the Palestinian people to obtain all their inalienable
rights, in particular the right to establish an
independent State in its homeland, with its capital in
Jerusalem.
In this regard, Iraq endorses and supports the path
embarked on by the Palestinian Authority to come to
the United Nations to achieve full international
recognition of a Palestinian State during the current
session of the General Assembly. Iraq calls on the
international community and all peace-loving forces to
stand by the Palestinian people in their legitimate
struggle to achieve their goals and demands that the
Israeli Government fully withdraw from all Arab
territories occupied in 1967. That would essentially
contribute to the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict
and bring a comprehensive and just peace to this vital
region of the world.
Making the Middle East an area free of weapons
of mass destruction is crucial to achieve peace, security
and stability. That requires Israel to join the Treaty on
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to put
its nuclear facilities under the comprehensive
safeguards system of the International Atomic Energy
Agency.
The countries of the Arab world are witnessing
significant developments and unprecedented reforms
and political changes, the effects of which will be
reflected in the future of the whole region and will
extend to areas beyond. Iraq, as an early actor in
initiating this change, supports the struggle of the Arab
people of the region to gain their freedom, choose their
political systems and exercise their right to peaceful
demonstrations and protests in the so-called Arab
Spring. We hope that these changes will contribute to
regional stability and security and avoid anything that
might threaten the unity and sovereignty of the
countries of the region or stir up strife or sectarian and
ethnic conflicts.
In the area of international cooperation, Iraq will
work to promote cooperation with all countries that
stood with it and supported it in the stability of the
ongoing political process, in strengthening it and in
reconstruction. We refer here to the United States of
America and to the European Union. When we mention
these two parties we mention them not because they
are the only ones that stood with Iraq, but because we
are linked by mechanisms of action that should be
implemented. There are many other friends who stood
with us in the difficult times that we have experienced,
and we will remember that favour and develop
relations of cooperation with them.
After the withdrawal of the United States forces
from Iraq by the end of this year, we will work to
enhance and expand the scope of cooperation on the
basis of the strategic framework agreement signed
between the two countries in 2008. According to that
agreement, relations will be for the long term and will
cover all aspects of life.
The same is true for the European Union. After
finishing the drafting of the Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement between Iraq and the European
Union and its possible signing in the near future, and
signing a memorandum of understanding on the
strategic partnership in the field of energy between Iraq
and the European Union, the cooperation between the
two parties will take a broader scope in various fields
covered by those agreements.
Our economic, commercial and political relations
with the People’s Republic of China are expanding and
improving. Our relations with neighbouring Arab
countries, India and Pakistan, are also constantly
improving.
Regarding our relationship with the United
Nations, we will continue an approach of constructive
cooperation with all United Nations bodies, in the
forefront of which are the Security Council and the
Secretariat, and we will keep the commitments we have
made.
I should like to take this opportunity to express
my appreciation for the efforts by Special Representative of
the Secretary-General Mr. Ad Melkert throughout his time
in Iraq. I wish him and his family success and good
7 11-51185
health. I welcome the new representative of the
Secretary-General. We will continue to cooperate with
him in a way that will enable him to carry out his task
in accordance with Security Council resolution 1770
(2007) and subsequent resolutions.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq
will receive all forms of support and assistance from
us, in particular during the next phase, and we will do
our utmost to provide the necessary protection for its
staff and premises.
We look forward with confidence and optimism
to the future. Iraq is an emerging democracy and a
country brimming with a wealth of natural and human
resources. We are working to make it an important
factor in regional stability, security and prosperity and
a living example of democracy, federalism and the
voluntary coexistence of different ethnic and sectarian
groups and communities.