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Deputy Spokesman for the SRSG, Hamid Abdeljaber, held his first press briefing today. He summarized the activities of SRSG, Sergio Vieira de Mello's visit to Najaf on Saturday 28 June 2003. He said Mr. Vieira de Mello met first Ayatollah Ali Mohammad al-Sistani. The meeting lasted almost an hour in which views were exchanged in a frank manner on the current situation in Iraq and how best to move forward to reaching the goal of transferring power to a representative Iraqi leadership. Mr. Sistani expressed his concern at the slow pace and many other issues derailing the process of permitting Iraqi responsible leaders to take charge of their affairs. The idea of writing a new constitution for Iraq was also discussed at length.
The SRSG then met Imam Muqtada Al-Sadr, leader of the Sadriun Movement, for over thirty minutes. Mr. Al- Sadr emphasized the fact that any formation of any political entity was doomed to failure unless it is supported or endorsed by the Iraqi people themselves. He suggested to conduct a referendum to approve or reject the "Political Council" suggested by the CPA.
His last meeting was held with Imam Mohammad Baqir Al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). Hakim underlined the fact that there are many ways to reach a more representative Iraqi body. He said that only Iraqi people can choose their representatives and any imposed leadership would fail and hurt those who will impose it.
The SRSG in his remarks promised to convey the views of the leaders to the CPA and will work hard to get these views across. He also said he was preparing a comprehensive report on the situation in Iraq which he will submit to the Security Council towards the middle of July.
Mona Rishmawi Press Conference
Mona Rishmawi, the Special Advisor to the SRSG on Human Rights and Women issues, then took the podium to explain to the press the two-day workshop on the justice system and accountability for past human rights violations committed in Iraq, which will start on Monday 30 June.
She said this is an expert consultation, the first of its kind to be held in Iraq. The meeting will include 56 individuals mostly Iraqis and some international experts and experts from international organizations such as AI and HRW etc. The group also includes Arab experts on human rights.
The meeting will focus on approaches and principles on how to address past human rights violations committed in Iraq, in light of unearthing mass graves in many parts of Iraq, which constitutes a big dilemma in Iraq.
Office of the Special Representative