1. In September
2002, ACC 12 adopted resolutions
23 & 24, which expressed support
of the United Nations strategy for
disarming Iraq, and the lifting
of sanctions, and specifically supported
the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal
Church in the USA (ECUSA) in his
many statements emphasizing the
need to work multilaterally through
the UN and opposing the War. These
resolutions were conveyed to UN
and Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs) and Civil Societies, as well
as the German delegation that visited
New York in February 2003 to support
their government in opposing the
war.
2. The Anglican
UN Office has been hosting all the
meetings of the UN/NGO Working Group
on Iraq since the beginning of 2003
and was exposed to direct information
from NGO representatives in Iraq
on the situation there before and
after the war. The Iraqis are determined
to rule on their own with the assistance
of the UN and without further interference
from outside, including the occupying
powers. Furthermore, International
Law, including the Geneva Accord,
clearly indicates that the occupying
nations (or belligerent powers)
should be fully responsible for
the rebuilding and repair of damages
done during the war. In a statement
to the UN Secretary General on March
28th, the UN/NGO Group stressed,
“The matter must be resolved
in a way that maximizes benefits
to Iraqi civilians and is consistent
with established international humanitarian
law. We urge you to continue to
highlight the combatants’
operations-related obligations.”
3. The UN/NGO group
believes that the UN has the expertise
to rebuild Iraq with peace keeping
forces as well. Last week Hans Von
Sponeck (who is well known for his
experience in Iraq and who resigned
from the UN in opposition to the
sanctions) confirmed this and supported
the petition by NGOs for the UN
to have full authority in rebuilding
Iraq and not to be just a “sweeper”
of the damages caused by belligerent
governments. Hence, whilst the members
of the Security Council could be
over-influenced by commercial considerations,
it was felt that the true position
of the United Nations could only
be voiced at an Emergency Session
of the General Assembly.
4. With the
above in mind, the statement was
drafted by the Anglican Observer
at the United Nations with the support
of the Secretary General of ACC
and was duly approved by the Chairman,
and endorsed by the President, before
it was delivered yesterday at the
UN Press Conference by the Revd.
Dr. Jeff Golliher of the Anglican
UN Office.
