For Immediate Release
November 29, 2004

Global Message

SPECIAL EDITION: INTERNATIONAL MINISTERIAL MEETING ON IRAQ

From an International Ministerial Meeting on Iraq, Sharm El Sheikh, 11/23/04

"We must support the political process as the sole path to reconciliation. ... Working together, we can meet our obligation to help the Iraqi people resolutely face the challenges confronting them as they try to bring peace and democracy to their nation and to rebuild their towns and cities and institutions. The ultimate success will bring freedom, peace, and prosperity to Iraq, to the region, and to the world."
      -- Secretary of State Powell, 11/23/04

An International Ministerial Meeting on Iraq was held to support the aspirations of the Iraqi people. Participating were the foreign ministers of Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Syria, Kuwait, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Tunisia, Algeria, Bahrain, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the UN Secretary General, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference, and the Representatives of the European Union.

The leaders decided to:

1. Reaffirm the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of Iraq.
2. Affirm the Iraqi people's rights to a secure and stable life, to determine their future, and to full control over their resources.
3. Underline the United Nations' leading role, especially in promoting national dialogue and consensus building on the Iraqi people's drafting of a permanent national constitution in 2005.
4. Welcome a supporting role by the League of Arab States alongside the United Nations.
5. Welcome the efforts of the Iraqi Interim Government and other Iraqi leaders to broaden political participation to all those who reject violence.
6. Promote Iraq's transition to a united, federal, democratic, and pluralistic state in which political and human rights are fully observed.
7. Condemn acts of terrorism, kidnapping, and assassination in Iraq.
8. Call on all parties to contribute to Iraq's stability by preventing the transit of terrorists, and arms and financing for terrorists.
9. Call on Iraq's neighbors to intensify their cooperation to control the borders.
10. Reiterate that the mandate of the Multi-National Forces in Iraq is not open ended and the need to enable the Iraqi security forces to play an increasingly greater role and ultimately become fully responsible for Iraq's security.
11. Reiterate the importance of humanitarian assistance and support for Iraq's reconstruction.
12. Call on all donor countries and organizations to expedite the disbursement of financial assistance pledged at the October 2003 donors committee meeting in Madrid.
13. Recognize that debt reduction is a key element in Iraq's reconstruction.
14. Reaffirm the importance of bringing to justice former Iraqi regime members who committed war crimes against Iran, Kuwait, and crimes against humanity affecting the Iraqi people.