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Iraqi Governing Council Inaugural Meeting
Baghdad - The SRSG for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the Iraqi Governing Council (GC), which convened at it’s new Headquarters in central Baghdad. He was also the only non-Iraqi invited to speak at the public ceremony held at the Baghdad Convention Centre, at which the GC members were introduced to the press. This was followed by a press conference by members of the GC. Ambassadors Bremer and Sawers were also invited to attend both events.
Upon arrival at GC HQ at 13:00 we were ushered into the conference room where all 25 members of the GC were assembled. The session was opened by its Chair, the highly respected Shi’a clergyman Mohammed Bahr ul-Uloom, who announced that the first decree adopted by the GC was to annul all public holidays and festival linked to the old dictatorial regime and the dissolved Ba’ath Party, and to consider the 9th of April, the day of the fall of the old regime, an official national holiday.
The SRSG was then invited to say a few words. He said that it was a pleasure and an honour to have been invited, as the Representative of the Secretary-General to attend the GC’s first meeting, and he extended the SG’s greetings and best wishes for success. He said the SG commended the members of the GC for the courage they were demonstrating by in assuming this heavy responsibility. The SRSG added that the SG had asked me to convey that there defining moments in history and their commitment to the formation of the GC was one of those moments. He said the UN was working closely with the CPA and would spare no effort to support the GC to ensure its success. He added that we all had one single purpose, which is to achieve the goals of SCR1483, and to ensure that the day when the Iraqi people govern themselves comes quickly. The formation of this Council was a huge first step in that direction. He also commended Ambassadors Bremer and Sawers, for their commitment to move rapidly on implementing SCR1483.
The Chair then invited Ambassador Bremer to speak, who expressed his gratitude for having been invited to attend the inaugural session and agreed with the SRSG that this was an important day in the history of Iraq. He said the next step would be the Constitutional Conference, and the drafting of a Constitution "by Iraqis for Iraqi” and that would lead to elections. On behalf of President Bush he said the CPA would spare no effort to work with the GC to make process a success.
Ambassador Sawers was then invited to say a few words. He expressed his support for what the SRSG and Ambassador Bremer had said, adding that he felt this was an "extraordinary day" and conveyed the greetings and congratulations of Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The meeting adjourned for lunch at 13:30.
At approximately 14:45 we headed for the Baghdad Convention Centre where around 200 members of the Iraqi, Arab and Foreign the press were already assembled in the huge, theatre-style auditorium. The SRSG and Ambassadors Bremer and Sawers, as well as other members of the UN team and of the CPA, sat in the stalls with the audience.
At 15:00 the 25 members of the GC walked onto the stage from the wings and sat in a semi-circle, facing the audience. The ceremony began with an opening statement by GC member Mohammed Bahr ul-Uloom, in which said that the creation of the GC was "a manifestation of the free will of all Iraqis and in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1483." He added that "the establishment of the Council at this historic juncture is the result of intensive efforts by Iraqi organizations and personalities from all political streams and backgrounds...The goal was to form a body in consultation with the CPA and the Representative of the UN Secretary-General.”
Mr. Bahr ul-Uloom also said: "Efforts must be exerted to complete the task of drafting a permanent constitution expressing the will of the people of Iraq. Let us also create the atmosphere for holding general elections that will lead to the establishment of an effective government enjoying full authority and responsibility, thus restoring Iraq’s sovereignty and full independence."
The SRSG was then invited on stage to deliver his statement (attached). When he finished he returned to his seat in the stalls, and the ceremony continued with a long press conference. Iraqi, Arab and foreign journalists directed questions to the GC members. An Iraqi Master of Ceremonies moderated the proceedings and there was Arabic/English translation.
