THE SECURITY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN ISSUES A STATEMENT ON IRAK

New York , October 17th, 2005 – Representing the chairmanship of the Security Council during the month of October, the Romanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu , issued, today, a statement on Irak .

In the statement he said that the members of the Security Council welcome the Iraqi referendum completed on 15 October, an important step in the political process endorsed by United Nations Security Council resolution 1546.  They commend the courage of the millions of Iraqis who, braving difficult conditions and the threat of violence, again demonstrated their commitment to a peaceful, democratic political process and their willingness to decide their political future through peaceful means.

The Romanian foreign minister also stated that the members of the Security Council also welcome the efforts of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq and the thousands of Iraqi electoral workers who made the referendum possible.  They commend the support given by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and other international electoral and constitutional experts.  Members of the Security Council note the important role played by the Iraqi Security Forces in providing security to the referendum.

The members of the Security Council note that, whatever the results of the referendum, the next major milestone in the political process will be the national election scheduled for 15 December 2005 .  They underline the importance of participation by all Iraqis in that election to ensure that the next assembly, which will take vital decisions about Iraq 's future, represents the full diversity of Iraq .  Council members stress the importance of inclusiveness, reconciliation and national unity and, in this regard, welcome recent statements and actions by Iraqi leaders.

Mihai Razvan- Ungureanu concluded by declaring that the members of the Security Council look forward to continued progress in Iraq's political transition, consistent with United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 (2004), and reaffirm their support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and for a federal, democratic, pluralist and unified Iraq, in which there is full respect for human rights.

( source : the press office of the Romanian Permanent Mission to the UN)