UN Security Council Resolution 1511

The UN Security Council passed Resolution 1511 on 10/16/03. The passage of this resolution is sure to be hailed by the US as demonstrating international support for its activities in Iraq. While this is a "victory" of sorts, it does not seem to be what the US hoped, and is a long way from where the US started. Here is a link to the full text of UN SC Resolution 1511.

Starting off Resolution 1511 is reference to several other previous resolutions which are instructive in forming a context for 1511. First is Resolution 1483 of 6/22/03. This Security Council Resolution angered the US because it kept in place the resolution for confirming Iraq had no "wmd" as a prerequisite to continuing the "oil for food" program which had been in place under Hussein's government. The US had requested that all sanctions on Iraq be lifted as they had overthrown Hussein and occupied Iraq. Resolution 1483 was not a victory either, but did conditionally ease some restrictions.

Resolution 1500 of 8/14/03 granted authority for the formation of a UN Mission to Iraq.

Resolution 1373 9/28/03, which was a condemnation of terrorism. It called for cooperation among nations to end terrorism.

With this context in mind, Resolution 1511 essentially says (once again) that Iraq is a sovereign nation whose sovereignty rests with the people of Iraq. It gives interrim recognition to the Governing Council of Iraq, and reinforces that the "Coalition Provisional Authority" is temporary, and will cease to exist when an internationally recognized government is sworn in (item 1).

Calls on the Coalition Governing Authority to turn over governnance to the people of Iraq as soon as possible (item 6).

Asks for a transition timetable no later that 12/15/03 (item 7).

Reinforces the desire to see a larger UN role in Iraq (item 8).

It authorizes a multi-national force under "unified command" to help in peacekeeping (item 13)

"Urges" member nations to participate in peacekeeping and aid to Iraq (item 14).

And sets the resoultion for review no later than 10/16/04.

This is not the resolution that the US wanted, but its passage does reflect a desire on the part of the Council to not be endlessly split and the desire to tell the people of Iraq that the UN is deeply interested in seeing authority return to their hands, and their nation rebuilt.

There are two very good discussions of the Resolution and what it means at Foreign Policy in Focus: A Fig Leaf to Cover Occupation by Phyllis Bennis 10/16/03, and Threading the Needle: UN Resolution 1511 and the Iraqi Occupation by Ian Williams, 10/16/03.

Posted by rowan at October 18, 2003 6:55 AM | TrackBack | [eMail this article!] |