YouSaid · the spoken record

Al-Bayati

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2006-06-22
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2013-03-21
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un-security-council

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  1. “The Kurdistan region will hold council elections this July, while the central Government is preparing for the parliamentary elections to be held on 16 January 2010 to reinforce the political process and build State institutions. The security situation in Iraq continues to improve, despite some security violations. Official statistics indicate that in the period between March and May 2009 there was a 76 per cent decline in the number of acts of violence as compared to the same period in 2008. That improvement attests to the development of the capability of Iraqi security forces and to the significant decline in the capabilities of terrorist groups. The latest figures indicate that Iraqi security forces have been able to dismantle and destroy 90 per cent of those groups.”

    2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source

  2. “The principle of the peaceful rotation of power forms the basis of an open and transparent political process. All Iraqi political forces operate within that process and work through constructive dialogue to reach all important decisions, including on the key issues of building a federal system, legislation on the distribution of natural resources, constitutional amendments and internally disputed borders. That will lead to the reaching of a political settlement to resolve most outstanding issues in order to preserve the gains achieved within the framework of the political process. The Iraqi people, driven by a belief in their mission to build a free and democratic Iraq, are building a democracy through mechanisms based on ballot boxes and not bullets.”

    2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source

  3. “National reconciliation remains a top priority for my Government. In that context, last March, more than 4 million Iraqis visited the Holy Shrines in the city of Samarra, in an atmosphere characterized by a spirit of brotherhood and tolerance. There were no breaches of security during that event, which marked a day of national unity among Iraqis from different ethnic and sectarian groups, who overcame the painful past that had resulted from the bombing of the Holy Shrine in Samarra on 22 February 2006 and the subsequent acts of sectarian violence. The reconstruction of the Shrine symbolizes the process of rebuilding the national fabric of all components of Iraqi society. Iraq today is a democratic State that respects freedoms and is governed by a Constitution.”

    2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source

  4. “Having reviewed the reports of the Secretary- General on UNAMI's work in Iraq contained in documents S/2009/102 and S/2009/284, my delegation would like to make the following comments. With regard to the political and security sectors, following the great success achieved by the Iraqi people in the provincial elections held on 31 January 2009, the political forces that gained the majority of seats in those elections have formed provincial councils in 14 of the provinces that held elections. That is an accomplishment that the Government of my country considers to be an important step within the framework of the plan to provide those councils with increased responsibilities and the power to play an important role in supporting the federal Government in the reconstruction of Iraq.”

    2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source

  5. “Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month and thank you for coming back to New York to join us at this meeting. I would like to also present our thanks to your predecessor, His Excellency the Permanent Representative of Russia, for his distinguished efforts during his presidency in the month of May. Our high appreciation also goes to Mr. Staffan de Mistura, whom we are going to miss, as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Iraq, and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) team in Iraq and New York for their tireless work in assisting the Government and people of Iraq.”

    2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source

  6. “These reviews represent a key step in support of the international community's efforts to normalize relations between Iraq and its neighbours and contribute to security and stability in the region. In conclusion, I would like to stress my Government's gratitude for UNAMI's role in Iraq and for Mr. De Mistura's support, offered at the Government's request and based on mutually agreed mechanisms.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  7. “In the framework of positive cooperation with the United Nations and our brothers in Kuwait, during meetings of the technical subcommittee early next month and in the presence of United Nations High- Level Coordinator, Mr. Gennady Tarasov, my Government will hand over a large number of audio and video tapes to Kuwait as a gesture of goodwill and in order to gather impetus for nations to terminate the international mandate relating to this file. In reference to the recommendation contained in paragraph 72 of the report of the Secretary-General, my Government strongly supports the process of reviewing those Security Council resolutions pertaining to Iraq subsequent to resolution 661 (1990) and in accordance with the fifth operative paragraph of resolution 1859 (2008).”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  8. “Following the first annual review of the International Compact with Iraq held in Stockholm, the Iraqi Government has taken many steps to enhance and support policies to accomplish all requirements through the Joint Monitoring Matrix of 2008, in which the necessary steps to launch the administrative and financial reform process were determined. In this regard, my delegation would like to encourage all Arab countries to help their brothers in Iraq by forgiving Iraq's debt and reducing its compensation obligations imposed after the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, a crime committed by the former dictatorial regime. My Government welcomes the Kuwaiti Government's agreement to address the issue of compensation through bilateral negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations Compensation Commission.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  9. “The past few months have seen mutual visits between a number of Iraqi and international officials. This month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid visits to Iraq. The President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, visited Kuwait to participate in the Arab Economic Summit, and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited Iran and Turkey to develop mechanisms for bilateral cooperation with both countries. It should also be noted that the Iraqi-Kuwaiti joint committee is to hold a meeting in Kuwait this month to sign an accord to ensure a common vision for resolving the outstanding issues between the two countries and, in mid-March of next year, will hold a meeting at the ministerial level.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  10. “This initiative supports the Government's national plan for the building of schools, under which, so far, 291 schools have been constructed and 374 restored to receive students in the current school year. At the regional and international levels, the Iraqi Government continues its efforts to monitor and coordinate the work of the committees on refugees, energy and security within the framework adopted at the meetings of the Foreign Ministers of the Expanded Neighbouring Countries of Iraq held in Sharm el-Sheikh and Istanbul. The Refugees Committee held its meeting in Amman on 15 November 2008. The Security Coordination Committee meeting was held in Damascus on 22 and 23 November 2008. I would like to stress my Government's commitment to cooperating fully with our neighbouring countries to reach solutions to all issues of mutual interest.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  11. “In the area of basic services, the Iraqi Government has reduced the proportion of the population deprived of water and sewage systems to 10 per cent in urban areas and 30 per cent in rural areas. The production of electricity has risen significantly during the last three months, and the Iraqi Government has allocated more than $3 billion to the Ministry of Electricity to build new power stations. In the framework of the Iraqi Government's efforts to support the educational process in the country, the Ministry of Education has signed bilateral cooperation protocols with support organizations such as UNICEF and the Iraqi Ministry of Housing and Reconstruction.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  12. “Within the framework of economic policies aimed at reconstructing the Iraqi industrial sector, the Government has allocated an investment budget of up to $697 million to the Ministry of Industry for the rebuilding many of its ministerial institutions in an effort to diversify sources of national income. With regard to the oil industry, the Iraqi Government has adopted new policies to reconstruct and develop this field. According to the latest reports issued by the Iraqi Oil Ministry, oil production increased by 11 per cent in 2008 and daily production increased from 1.85 million barrels to 2.28 million barrels. The Iraqi Government has also joined the international Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to establish a monitoring mechanism for its oil revenues and ways of spending them.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  13. “My Government, in the light of obligations under the International Compact with Iraq, has signed a number of bilateral agreements with Paris Club countries by which those countries are to cancel nearly $45 billion of our total national debt, which totals more than $52 billion. A bilateral agreement and memorandum of understanding have also recently been signed with Greece and China, under which our debt to those countries is reduced by 80 per cent. The Iraqi Government has established a social security network to support different social sectors, including orphans, widows and the unemployed. The Government has allocated 800 million dinar for this purpose and increased the number of small loans to 120,000 for 2009 from 75,000 in 2008.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  14. “Inflation decreased from 16 per cent in 2007 to 12 per cent in the last quarter of 2008 as a result of financial policies aimed at decreasing inflation and improving the purchasing power of the Iraqi dinar. Unemployment has also decreased, falling from 17 per cent in 2008 to 15 per cent at the beginning of 2009. These economic indicators reflect a comprehensive improvement in the Iraqi economy. Investment is a priority for the Iraqi Government's national financial and economic policies. The Government has allocated $12 billion of the national budget for investment activities for all Iraqi ministries and has established a national monitoring mechanism to encourage Iraqi ministries to spend the allocated investment funds on their projects.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  15. “My Government attaches particular importance to the issue of human rights for Iraqi detainees in custody pending criminal cases, as demonstrated by the creation of places of detention appropriately equipped to provide full legal immunities and procedures to ensure a fair trial. On 22 February 2009, the central Baghdad prison was opened to the press as part of the Iraqi Government's policy of ensuring the highest degree of transparency in following up on the conditions for detainees in Iraqi jails. On the social and economic front, the tangible improvement in Iraq's political and security situation has had a positive effect on the national development strategy. A clear improvement has been recorded in Iraqi economic indicators during the past few months. The rate of economic growth at the end of 2008 was 44.2 per cent.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  16. “The Government of Iraq, convinced of the need to consolidate and strengthen the rights of the Iraqi people through the establishment of independent institutions dealing with the follow-up and monitoring of human rights, ratified on 14 January 2009 a law establishing a High Commission for Human Rights under the provisions of article 61 of the Iraqi Constitution. The Commission will strive to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights in Iraq and to protect the rights and freedoms set forth in the Constitution, laws, treaties, and international agreements ratified by Iraq.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  17. “The goal of the trip was to coordinate with these countries in organizing the return of Iraqis displaced onto their territory, and to explore with the immigration ministers of Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt the problems and constraints involved in the return of Iraqi citizens in order to develop effective mechanisms to overcome such problems and to contribute to the return of all Iraqis to their places of origin. It is important here to refer to the recent report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which referred to the return of 220,000 Iraqis in 2008 and to the expected return of 500,000 Iraqis in 2009 due to the steady improvement of security in the country.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  18. “Continued efforts by the Iraqi Government, in cooperation with international organizations and aid agencies, to secure the full return of the Christian families displaced by violence in some parts of Ninawa province late last year have led to the return of 2,400 out of 2,500 displaced families, and the Iraqi Government is still providing the remaining families with necessary assistance. As part of the Iraqi Government's continuing efforts to ensure the return of displaced Iraqis in neighbouring countries, the Minister of Displacement and Migration, Mr. Abdul Samad Rahman Sultan, recently headed a ministerial delegation to Syria on the first leg of a trip that included stops in Egypt and Lebanon.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  19. “Displaced families returning to their places of origin numbered about 40,000 by the end of 2008, and one of the largest camps for internally displaced persons, in the province ofNajaf, has been closed after the return to their places of origin of 300 families that were living there. My Government has been working tirelessly on the restitution of property, pursuant to order 101, and on assistance to returning displaced families, pursuant to order 102, by providing the appropriate conditions for their return to their livelihoods and their areas of origin.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  20. “The termination of the mandate of the multinational force in Iraq is an important turning point for Iraq and the end of an era for the United Nations and for, above all, the countries contributing to the force. The multinational force has contributed vital support to the progress of building security and stability in Iraq and towards our transition to a sovereign, federal and united democracy. On behalf of the Government and the people of Iraq, I wish to convey a very important message of thanks to the men and women of the multinational force in Iraq, who have courageously fought together with us on the frontline, as well as to their Governments. The acceleration of improvement in the security situation in Baghdad and other provinces has helped to return life to normality in most areas.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  21. “Anti-terrorism authorities in Iraq oversaw the destruction of 51 terrorist networks in 2008, enhancing security gains achieved by the ongoing commitment of the Government of my country to support efforts towards national reconciliation and political dialogue with the various parties involved in the country's political process. The Governments of Iraq and the United States have reached a new security agreement to organize the future bilateral partnership between our independent and sovereign nations which share the common goals of protecting and promoting the interests of our two countries and reinforcing Iraqi sovereignty and independence.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  22. “First, it demonstrated the great development in the capabilities of Iraqi Security Forces, which performed in a professional and qualified manner, and the effective presence of which was felt on the ground, making the elections the first witness of their efficiency, but not the last. This conclusion was also reached by the Secretary-General, who states in his report that "[the] almost complete absence of violence during the elections can to a large extent be attributed to the growing effectiveness of the Iraqi Security Forces" (S/2009/102, para. 20). Secondly, the elections demonstrated the solid gains made in Iraq's security situation thanks to the Government's efforts to strengthen the political, security and law enforcement fields - the pillars of stability in the country.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  23. “He expressed his admiration for the role of Iraqi security forces by saying that the elections had proven that the Iraqi Government is capable of generating security to ensure the electoral process. The main message that the Iraqi people want conveyed to the world through the success of these elections is the emphasis they place on building a responsible democracy through the exercise of their rights within the context of public administration, as set forth in their Constitution, in order to strengthen the democratic experience in the new Iraq. The completion of the provincial elections in an atmosphere almost completely free of any manifestation of violence, as opposed to the more than 80 security incidents during the elections of 2005, confirmed two basic facts.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  24. “The success of the provincial elections as an important juncture in the political development of the new Iraq has caused many to express their admiration for the ability and potential the Iraqi people have shown in the preparation, organization, management and protection of their electoral process. The Secretary-General paid tribute to the circumstances surrounding the elections, saying they were impressively free of violence. Similarly, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, said that the election process was well organized by staff who all followed the same procedures and that the Electoral Commission had shown independence.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  25. “In accordance with the provisions of article 23 of the provincial elections law, the elections in Kirkuk have been postponed and a parliamentary committee formed to study options for power-sharing between the components of Kirkuk and to research the issues of conflict of ownership and demographic change. This committee hopes its report, when submitted to the Council of Representatives, will facilitate the process for provincial elections in Kirkuk. The Iraqi political forces agree on the substance of article 23 of the provincial elections law, which confirms the process to resolve the Kirkuk issue through constitutional and political means in order to preserve the full rights of all components of the province.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  26. “For example, the turnout in Ninawa was 60 per cent compared with 14 per cent during the previous elections, and Salah Ad Din province, which recorded the highest participation rate at 65 per cent, had only 15 per cent participation in the 2005 elections. The province of Anbar, where participation amounted to less than 1 per cent in 2005, reported a turnout of 40 per cent. The participation of Iraqis who boycotted the elections in the past reflected a firm belief in elections as key mechanisms of democracy, as opposed to the use of violence to impose the will of one party on others. The Government considers the success of the elections to be an important development and a strong push towards the promotion of reconciliation and coexistence between the various components of the Iraqi people.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  27. “The provincial elections witnessed the competition of 14,431 candidates, 3,912 of whom were women, belonging to 401 lists and competing for 440 seats throughout 14 provinces. Participating in the elections were more than 400 observers from the United Nations and more than 800 independent international observers, as well as observers representing the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union. The turnout of the elections, 51 per cent, was very good compared to participation rates in local elections in other countries. The provincial elections that took place at the end of January are considered to be a turning point in Iraq's progress in the pursuit of building a new democracy because of the active participation of many Iraqis who boycotted the provincial elections in 2005.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  28. “In the political and security areas, today the people and the Government of Iraq are proud of their achievement in having held provincial elections, which took place in a democratic and stable security situation. The elections provided a great opportunity for competition among electoral blocs and political forces and gave Iraqi citizens the freedom to select those they considered most suitable to manage their provinces and to provide the services they expect from the provincial councils. The provincial councils will be given greater powers and budgets than the outgoing councils, including the responsibility of playing a bigger role in the advancement of the provinces' building and reconstruction and provision of services as defined by the law of provincial assemblies.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  29. “Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I would also like to express our thanks to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of France, for his efforts during the month of January. Our great appreciation goes to Mr. Staffan de Mistura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, and to the teams of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in Iraq and New York for their tireless work in assisting the Government and the people of Iraq. After reviewing the report of the Secretary- General on the work of UNAMI, contained in document S/2009/102, my delegation would like to make the following comments.”

    2009-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6087 (2009) · source

  30. “I would like also to confirm my Government's readiness to provide the needed protection to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. In conclusion, I would like to stress my Government's gratitude for UNAMI's role in Iraq and for Mr. de Mistura's support, which is offered upon the Government's request and based on mutually agreed mechanisms. I would like to reiterate our thanks to the support of the multinational forces in Iraq for the people and the Government of Iraq.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  31. “With regard to cooperation between Iraq, the United Nations and our brothers in Kuwait, the Iraqi Government invited Mr. Gennady Tarasov, High-level Coordinator for missing Kuwaitis and Kuwaiti property, to Visit Baghdad from 12 to 15 October 2008. The visit was successful, and Mr. Tarasov met with high-level Iraqi official to address this issue. As a demonstration of my Government's keenness to facilitate UNAMI's execution of its mandate, the Iraqi Government has decided to allocate $25 million from this year's budget to contribute to the cost of building the UNAMI headquarters in Baghdad. This reflects our great appreciation of UNAMI's role in Iraq and our readiness to cooperate with the United Nations.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  32. “With regard to the International Compact with Iraq, the Iraqi Government, following the first review conference, which was held in Stockholm, took many steps to enhance national policies to meet all the requirements through the shared monitoring matrix. In this regard, my delegation would like to encourage all Arab countries to help their brothers in Iraq by forgiving Iraq's debts and reducing the percentage of the compensation imposed on Iraq due to the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, a crime committed by the former dictatorial regime. My Government welcomes the agreement of the Kuwaiti Government to address the issue of compensation through bilateral negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations Compensation Commission.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  33. “Ahmed Aboul Gheit on 5 October; and His Highness Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan of the United Arab Emirates, on 7 October. These visits highlight the significance of continued cooperation with Iraq's regional partners in securing common interests. Following the Iraqi Government's efforts to encourage Arab States to reopen their embassies in Baghdad, several Arab ambassadors arrived in Baghdad for that purpose, including those of Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. The League of Arab States appointed a new representative to Baghdad on 6 October. The Organization of the Islamic Conference has also reopened its offices in Iraq.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  34. “The security coordination committee meeting will be held in Damascus on 22 and 23 November 2008. In this regard, I would like to stress my Government's commitment to full cooperation with the neighbouring countries to reach solutions on all issues of mutual interest. The last few months witnessed several important official visits to Iraq, such as the visit on 8 July of the Turkish Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to promote cooperation between Iraq and Turkey and which established a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between the two countries. Other visits were made to Iraq by His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan, on 11 August; the Lebanese Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Fouad Siniora, on 20 August; the Egyptian Foreign Minister, His Excellency Mr.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  35. “This mechanism revealed many cases of human rights violations and, to guarantee a high level of commitment to human rights within the Iraqi security institutions, the Ministry of Interior dismissed 27,690 officers, and another 4,012 are to be put on trial for their involvement in cases of human rights violations. On the regional and international levels, the Iraqi Government continues its efforts within the framework of the support mechanism, which was adopted at the expanded meetings of Foreign Ministers of neighbouring countries of Iraq, held in Sharm el- Sheikh and Istanbul, to monitor and coordinate the work of the committees on refugees, energy and security. The energy committee held its last meeting on 11 October 2008, and the refugees committee plans to hold its next meeting in Amman on 15 November 2008.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  36. “The Iraqi Government started cooperating with the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to implement the new anti-corruption programme in Iraq, which was adopted by the United Nations in September 2008 to strengthen the Government's anti-corruption activities in the next five years. The Iraqi Government is keen to promote a new culture of respecting human rights in Iraqi society, based on the concepts of tolerance and mutual acceptance among the various components of Iraqi society. The Government achieved significant progress in establishing a national system to monitor human rights violations through professional teams in the Ministry of Human Rights.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  37. “Oil production has increased by 11 per cent, according to the latest reports issued by the Iraqi Oil Ministry, and the Iraqi Government has joined the international Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to place a monitoring mechanism on oil revenue and on ways of spending it. In the area of basic services, the Iraqi Government has reduced the number of people deprived of water and sewage systems to 10 per cent in the urban areas and 30 per cent in the rural areas. The production of electricity has risen significantly during the past three months, and the Iraqi Government increased the funds allocated to building new power stations. Within the framework of Government efforts to combat financial and administrative corruption, Iraq ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption in 2008.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  38. “The Iraqi Government has established a social security network to support various social segments of Iraqi society, including orphans, widows and the unemployed. The Government allocated $812 million to this project, including $76 million for displaced families. This network has witnessed a 25 per cent expansion in the number of individuals included and in the funds allocated to it during November 2008. Within the framework of economic policies aimed at reconstructing the Iraqi industrial sector, the Ministry of Industry recently signed a number of investment contracts with local, Arab and foreign companies to the value of $1 billion in order to diversify the sources of national income. The Iraqi Government has adopted new policies to reconstruct and develop the oil industry field.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  39. “The inflation rate has decreased from 16 per cent in 2007 to 12 per cent in the most recent quarter, and the unemployment rate has decreased from 22 per cent in 2007 to 17 per cent during the most recent quarter. These economic indicators reflect a comprehensive improvement in the Iraqi economy. Investment is a priority for the Iraqi Government's national financial and economic policies. The Government has allocated $19 billion of the national budget for investment activities for all Iraqi ministries and has established a national monitoring mechanism to encourage Iraqi ministries to spend the allocated investment funds on their projects. This has led to an increase in the spending percentage of the ministries' budgets from 24 per cent to 63 per cent.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  40. “According to this law, 427 political entities, representing all Iraqi components, will participate in local elections. Article 50 of the provincial council election law has been amended and adopted in order to guarantee equal representation to all minorities in Iraq. As regards the social and economic situation, tangible improvement in the political and security situation has had a positive effect on the National Development Strategy. Iraqi economic indicators have witnessed a clear improvement during the past few months. The rate of economic growth is expected to reach 8 per cent by the end of 2008, according to International Monetary Fund estimates.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  41. “For that purpose, the Interior Ministry sent two brigades to protect families and churches in the city and sent special investigation teams. Prime Minister al-Maliki announced that Christians in Iraq are an important component of Iraqi society and stressed his commitment to sending emergency assistance and security forces to ensure the protection and safe return of the Christian families to their homes. Accordingly, more than 300 Christian families have returned to their homes after security and stability were restored in their neighbourhoods. The adoption of the provincial council election law on 24 September 2008 is one of the most significant legislative developments to have taken place in Iraq during the past two months.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  42. “The number of Iraqi displaced families who have returned to their homes in Baghdad has reached 22,442, including 431 Christian families, in October 2008. This improvement is taking place in conjunction with the Iraqi Government's efforts to consolidate national reconciliation between all components of Iraqi society. Having said that, the Iraqi Government has transferred 98,223 officers and soldiers from the former army to the military service, and the Government has also integrated 51,135 members of the awakening Forces in the civilian and security institutions to bring them to normal life and to play a positive role in the reconstruction in Iraq. Owing to the terrorist attacks targeting the Christian community in the Mosul province, the Iraqi Government has sent security forces to protect civilians from those attacks.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  43. “The Iraqi Government took over security responsibilities in Al-Anbar Province in September 2008 following the security improvement achieved in that province, which was one of the most violent provinces in western Iraq. Such violent activities have decreased by approximately 90 per cent. The Iraqi security forces also took over security responsibilities in Babil and Wasit provinces in October 2008, in accordance with the timetable agreed upon by the Iraqi Government and MNF-I. In total, the Iraqi Government has now taken over security responsibilities in 13 out of 18 Iraqi provinces. This accelerating security improvement in Baghdad and other provinces has assisted a return to normal life for people in most areas of Iraq.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  44. “Furthermore, there has been an 89 per cent decrease of violent activities during the month of August 2008 in comparison to 2006 and 2007. This clearly reflects the Iraqi security forces' ability to control events on the ground. My Government recognizes that to maintain the security achievements on the ground, it must continue its plans to train the ISF and to provide them with needed weapons and equipments in the best possible way. The number of officers in the army has increased from 9,800 to 13,911 and the number of soldiers from 116,135 to 217,176. As for the police force, during the most recent period 4,047 officers and 40,004 policemen have also been trained. The most recent period has witnessed many significant developments in relation to the transfer of security responsibilities from the MNF-I to the Iraqi security forces.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  45. “My delegation took note of the report of the Secretary-General and the work of UNAMI in document S/2008/688 and would like to present the following comments. On the political and security levels, my Government, according to its constitutional responsibilities to guarantee security and stability for all Iraqi citizens, continues to execute these responsibilities all over Iraq through several security operations in Baghdad and other provinces. This has led to a tangible security improvement by decreasing the insurgents offensive abilities to target civilians and the Iraqi security forces (ISF). The last security report mentioned that security in the country during the last two months indicates that there were ten activities conducted by the ISF versus one activity by the insurgents.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  46. “Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month. I would also like to present our thanks to your predecessor, the representative of China, for his distinguished efforts during his presidency in the month of October. I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Zalmay Khalilzad for the briefing he presented to the Council on behalf of the multinational force in Iraq (MNF-I) and for its efforts to support security and stability in Iraq. Our thanks also go to His Excellency Mr. Staffan de Mistura, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Iraq, as well as to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) team in Iraq and New York for their tireless work to assist the Government and people of Iraq.”

    2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source

  47. “We hope that UNAMI will provide support and assistance in accordance with certain mechanisms and with the prior approval of the Iraqi Government. We also look forward to UNAMI having a more effective and influential role through the return of the United Nations specialized agencies, funds and programmes to work inside Iraq and to contribute to Iraq's reconstruction.”

    2008-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5949 (2008) · source

  48. “I would like to highlight the important role played by UNAMI in Iraq in providing support and advice to the Iraqi Government on the political, humanitarian, human rights, national reconciliation and constitutional processes, as stipulated in resolution 1770 (2007). In conclusion, allow me to reiterate my Government's request that the mandate of UNAMI be extended for another year, in recognition of its important role in implementing its mandate in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. In demonstration of my Government's keenness to facilitate UNAMI's execution of its mandate, the Iraqi Government has decided to allocate a 40,000-square metre parcel of land in the international zone for its new integrated headquarters for 25 years.”

    2008-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5949 (2008) · source

  49. “The meeting of the International Compact with Iraq held in Stockholm, Sweden, in late May 2008 achieved many positive results. The meeting welcomed the proposal to form a new partnership for development that includes the co-financing of new programmes with the international partners and has certain arrangements with the Paris Club with regard to Iraqi debt settlement. In that regard, my delegation would like to call on all brotherly Arab countries to promote their historical role with respect to their brothers in Iraq by forgiving Iraq's debts and to reconsider the percentage of the compensation payments imposed on Iraq because of the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, a crime committed by the former dictatorial regime.”

    2008-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5949 (2008) · source

  50. “Iraq has also been visited by a number of high-level delegations from the Gulf States, as well as by the Turkish Prime Minister and the head of the al-Mustaqbal bloc in the Lebanese Parliament, Mr. Saad al-Hariri. Some Arab countries have sent messages expressing their desire to develop political and diplomatic relations with Iraq. Those visits have resulted in a positive change in attitude towards Iraq. The Governments of Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan have announced the nomination of their ambassadors to Baghdad. Furthermore, the visits of senior officials have resulted in the conclusion of several economic, security, trade and investment agreements with Iraq. We would like to mention here with appreciation the initiative of the Government of the United Arab Emirates to forgive Iraq's debts of $7 billion.”

    2008-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5949 (2008) · source