Vol. 574 No. 3
144 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's policy in relation to the involvement of the UN in Iraq with particular reference to peacekeeping and peace enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27054/03]
The Government continues to look to the United Nations Security Council to ensure that the United Nations is seen to maintain its proper role as acting on behalf of the entire international community. The Government has consistently advocated a central role for the UN in the reconstruction of Iraq.
The UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1511 on Iraq on 16 October. It outlines the UN role in Iraq, in particular through the reporting requirements which give the Security Council a structured and formal role in the process. The resolution qualifies its requests to the UN with the phrase "as circumstances permit". This reflects concerns about security that had been expressed by Secretary-General Annan. The resolution authorises a multinational force to "take all measures necessary to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq", including "to contribute to the security of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq". It does not specify any particular peacekeeping role for the UN, although it does provide that the Security Council shall review the mission of the multinational force within a year.
The UN has been given a strengthened role in the physical and political reconstruction of Iraq. We hope that the role of the UN in Iraq outlined in the resolution will prove sufficient for it to carry out its work effectively.
