20 November 2003
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has today set out a timetable for a new constitution and elections in Iraq.
In a written statement to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary said the Iraqi Governing Council will draft a Fundamental Law based on the respect of human rights, freedom of speech and religious tolerance by February 2004. The law would apply until full national elections take place.
A Transitional National Assembly will be established by June 2004 through democratic means at a local level. This Assembly will then elect an executive and ministers as the Iraqi Transitional Government by July 2004. The legal authority of the Coalition Provisional Authority, and the Coalition’s legal occupation will end at this point.
Mr Straw stressed that there would be no reduction in the UK’s long-term commitment to Iraq.
"We stand ready to assist the Transitional Government in the task of rebuilding the country and its civilian institutions," he said.
The Transitional Government will oversee elections to a Constitutional Convention by March 2005, which will announce a new permanent constitution for Iraq.
Mr Straw welcomed the announcement of the programme by the President of the Iraqi Governing Council, Jalal Talabani.
"It should enable the coalition to fulfil the shared goal of ensuring a progressive transfer of executive and legislative authority to the Iraqi people as soon as possible.
"It responds to the Iraqi people’s wish that the body tasked with writing a permanent constitution be elected."
He added:
"The plan will bring an earlier end to the status of the UK and US as occupying powers, and will enable the Iraqis to develop their democratic institutions leading to full direct elections for a new government."
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