Iraq resolution would give wide powers to US forces

8.15am - By EVELYN LEOPOLD

UNITED NATIONS - The United States on Monday asked for UN endorsement of a hand-over of power to an interim government in Iraq but proposed the US force there could "take all measures" to keep order and set no date for it to leave.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Britain and distributed to UN Security Council members on Monday, would back the formation of a "sovereign interim government" that would take office by June 30 and says that government would "assume the responsibility and authority for governing a sovereign Iraq."

The draft emerged as President George W Bush prepared a televised speech later on Monday mapping out his plans for Iraq, where attacks on occupying forces have thrown into doubt prospects for a peaceful transfer to democratic rule.

As part of the transition process, UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, now in Baghdad, is due to name a president, a prime minister, two vice presidents and 26 ministers soon. They would stay in office until elections for a national assembly, expected to be held by January 2005.

The definition of sovereignty, particularly on the role of foreign troops, is a contentious issue, with the Bush administration attempting to assure UN members they would not be asked to approve an occupation under another name.

The text endorses a US-led multinational force, which would have "authority to take all necessary measure to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability."

But the draft is bound to run into criticism from France, Germany, Russia and others who opposed the Iraqi invasion last year. It does not give a definite timetable for the foreign force to leave and instead calls for a review after a year, which a new Iraqi government can request earlier.

A review, however, would be similar to an open-ended mandate and would not mean the force would leave unless the Security Council, where the United States has veto power, decides it should do so.

Deputy US Ambassador James Cunningham acknowledged there was no authority for Iraq to ask foreign troops to leave.

But, quoting earlier remarks from Secretary of State Colin Powell, he said, "The United States has said we will leave if there is a request by the Iraqi government to leave."

However, Chile's UN ambassador Heraldo Munoz said the length of stay by a multinational force should be spelled out in the resolution and be "determined by a sovereign government."

No date was set for a vote on the resolution. Diplomats said it would not take place before the interim government has been selected, which is expected within about next two weeks.

The resolution is silent on several points -- whether the Iraqi military can refuse to go into battle, US prisoners and the current interim constitution.

The resolution calls for a letter from the Iraqi government that would welcome the multinational force and spell out coordination between Iraqi and foreign troops.

The measure also does not mention prisoners and jails run by the United States and other forces, on the fate of those now incarcerated and those imprisoned in the future.

And it ignores the interim constitution signed in March, presumably in order not to anger the leading Shi'ite cleric, Ayatollah Ali Sistani. The secular constitution enshrines minority rights, stresses federalism, the rights of women and excludes fatwas or religious edicts.

On oil, the draft resolution says Iraq would have control over its oil revenues. But it would keep in place an international advisory board, which audits accounts, to assure investors and donors that their money was being spent free of corruption, UN envoys said.

Under a May 2003 Security Council resolution adopted after the fall of Saddam Hussein, all proceeds of Iraq's oil and gas sales were deposited into a special account called the Development Fund for Iraq, controlled by the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority.

- REUTERS

Full text: United Nations draft resolution

Herald Feature: Iraq