A historical celebration on the birth of the Iraqi rule council
Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/14/2003

Baghdad witnessed yesterday the birth of the promised Iraqi "rule council" by an American "midwife" represented by the American administrator of Iraq, Paul Bremer, whose contribution was limited to applause and monitoring of the new council, while confirming that Saddam Hussein's regime has ended and declared the day when Baghdad fell on April 9th as a National Day in Iraq.

The spokesman for the council, Muhammad Baher al-Oloum, in a joint press conference for all members of the council that followed their first meetings, strongly criticized the Arab provocative satellite TV stations which he accused of "provoking" the Iraqi people against the American and British forces. He said that "until when will the Arab satellite stations wait for the return back of Saddam Hussein -- Saddam Hussein has become in the garbage of history and will not come back."

For his part, member of the council, Ahmed Chalabi, the chairman of the Iraqi National Congress, expressed thanks and gratitude for the US President George W. Bush and for the US Congress and the American people for helping the people of Iraq to liberate themselves from Saddam's regime." Chalabi also thanked the British prime minister Tony Blair, the British people and the American administator Paul Bremer over "his brave decision on eliminating the Baath party from society."

Chalabi said that acts of violence against the occupation forces are "condemned and regretted and are not resistance from the side of the Iraqi people," noting that the Iraqi people consider these forces as "liberation forces." Chalabi also called for enabling the Iraqi people to launch and free the tremendous energies against Saddam and the Baath party, so as the people will have the task of liquidating remaining Baathists and to restore back security."

Member of the council Abdul Aziz al-Hakim: the deputy chairman of the Higher Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, stressed, for his part, the legitimacy of the council. He stressed that this council constitutes part of the UN Security Council resolution 1483. He said it is a "step in the right direction," expressing hope that the occupation will end as soon as possible.

Al-Hakim called for armament with "patience" until "complete liberation" and to solve basic problems especially security ones. He, on the other hand, stressed the need for formulating the constitution as soon as possible and to hold elections and form an elected democratic government.

Al-Hakim commended the warn welcome the Iraqi opposition members received from Iran. He stressed "rejection of any intervention in the internal affairs of Iraq." Al-Hakim, who presides over Bader Failaq (contingent), the armed wing of the Higher Council Of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, that the Failaq which will not be desolved "will play a role in ensuring the security of the country.

Member of the council Ghazi Elyaro, said replying to a question concerning the position of the Arab League towards the new council, that the position of the AL concerning the Iraqi people is in need of more sympathy. He added that the AL has to understand the step of founding the council and dealing with it. He said that "Saddam Hussein's regime has gone forever and a new Iraq is born." He expressed his hope to founding relations with the Arab states and countries neighboring Iraq on the ground of reciprocated respect.

Member of the council Adnan al- Baja Jee said replying to a question on the possible Paul Bremer's veto of decisions to be taken by the council that "we do not expect there will be a veto," noting that members of the council received promises that "all demands of the rule council will be met" and that should any opinion difference take place it will not be resorted to Bremer, to the veto," rather the "disputes will be settled though discussions and research."

However, sources at the UN said that Bremer will preserve himself the veto right of the decisions of the council.

On whether the authorities of the council do not include the security, Baja Jee said that these authorities are attributed to the rule council, and this was notified in the statement which was red by Baher al-Oloum, stressing that the security issues are one of the main specialty of the council.

The special representative of the UN secretary general in Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello said that there are "certain decisive moments in history and today one of them is certainly for Iraq." He added "It is a historic day in the history of your nation. A day promising of more bright when Iraq will return back to its due position among nations. Iraq of peace with itself and neighbors and a full membership in the international community."

At the beginning of the press conference Baher al-Oloum read a statement issued by the end of the meetings of the council in which he stressed that one of the priority of the council is to allocate all efforts towards ensuring security and stability in Iraq, to revive its national economy and reactivate the performance of the state and the establishments of the civil society and efforts to complete the provisional phase through enacting a permanent constitution for a democratic and federal united Iraq." The statement added that "the tasks assigned to the council are very difficult and the great responsibility assigned to its members can not be underestimated."

However, the first decision taken by the council which Baher al-Olom ( 80 year old) ) presides its first session in being the eldest, was represented in "canceling all feasts and official days off which were linked to the toppled regime and the dissolved Baath Party," including February 8 revolution, the anniversary of the first revolution for the Iraqi Baath party in 1963, the July 17 celebration, when the Baath party arrived to power in 1968, and "considering April 9th, the day of the collapse of the regime a national day for Iraq and an official day off."

The meeting of the council was held at the headquarters of the former military manufacturing ministry, near the former Presidential palace, where the occupation forces established its general headquarters. This ministry, however, was the strategic center for producing mass destruction weapons until the arrival of the UN inspectors for the Iraqi weapons following the Gulf war in 1991 to Iraq. This building, however, will be converted to the headquarters for the "rule council." This rule council will hold a meeting today, Monday, to resume its work. It is expected to discuss the nomination of ministers and their deputies and Iraq's representatives abroad.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Sahaf: Saddam is in Iraq, he should have resigned office   (7/12/2003)
  Occupation wants to privatize oil, Saddam declares himself resistance leader   (7/9/2003)
  Future Iraq army to be limited in size; Former soldiers to receive monthly stipends   (6/26/2003)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search