Iraq's Sovereignty to Be Restored by June 30, 2004

Iraq's Sovereignty to Be Restored by June 30, 2004

CPA and Governing Council set political timetable

The Iraqi Governing Council and the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq (CPA) agreed November 15 on a process to hand over power to a transitional government in Iraq no later than July 2004.

The "Agreement on Political Process," signed by CPA Administrator Paul Bremer and Jalal Talabani on behalf of the Governing Council, gives a timeline for steps the two political entities will take to establish a "Fundamental Law" for the country, make security arrangements, and form a Transitional National Assembly.

According to the agreement, the Assembly is to be elected by May 31, 2004, and the Governing Council will be dissolved upon its establishment. Also, the CPA will disband by June 30, 2004, when the Assembly is due to assume "full sovereign powers for governing Iraq."

The agreement also stipulates that delegates to a constitutional convention be elected by the Iraqi people by March 15, 2005. The agreement says the transitional phase would end with a popular referendum to ratify the new constitution, and the election of a new Iraqi government by December 31, 2005

Following is the text of the "Agreement on Political Process" signed by the CPA and the Iraqi Governing Council:

Agreement on Political Process

1. The "Fundamental Law"

-- To be drafted by the Governing Council, in close consultation with the CPA. Will be approved by both the GC and CPA, and will formally set forth the scope and structure of the sovereign Iraqi transitional administration.

-- Elements of the "Fundamental Law":

- Bill of rights, to include freedom of speech, legislature, religion; statement of equal rights of all Iraqis, regardless of gender, sect, and ethnicity; and guarantees of due process.

- Federal arrangement for Iraq, to include governorates and the separation and specification of powers to be exercised by central and local entities.

- Statement of the independence of the judiciary, and a mechanism for judicial review.

- Statement of civilian political control over Iraqi armed and security forces.

- Statement that Fundamental Law cannot be amended.

- An expiration date for Fundamental Law.

- Timetable for drafting of Iraq's permanent constitution by a body directly elected by the Iraqi people; for ratifying the permanent constitution; and for holding elections under the new constitution.

-- Drafting and approval of "Fundamental Law" to be complete by February 28, 2004.

2. Agreements with Coalition on Security

-- To be agreed between the CPA and the GC.

-- Security agreements to cover status of Coalition forces in Iraq, giving wide latitude to provide for the safety and security of the Iraqi people.

-- Approval of bilateral agreements complete by the end of March 2004.

3. Selection of Transitional National Assembly

-- Fundamental Law will specify the bodies of the national structure, and will ultimately spell out the process by which individuals will be selected for these bodies. However, certain guidelines must be agreed in advance.

-- The transitional assembly will not be an expansion of the GC. The GC will have no formal role in selecting members of the assembly, and will dissolve upon the establishment and recognition of the transitional administration. Individual members of the GC will, however, be eligible to serve in the transitional assembly, if elected according to the process below.

-- Election of members of the Transitional National Assembly will be conducted through a transparent, participatory, democratic process of caucuses in each of Iraq's 18 governorates.

- In each governorate, the CPA will supervise a process by which an "Organizing Committee" of Iraqis will be formed. This Organizing Committee will include 5 individuals appointed by the Governing Council, 5 individuals appointed by the Provincial Council, and 1 individual appointed by the local council of the five largest cities within the governorate.

- The purpose of the Organizing Committee will be to convene a "Governorate Selection Caucus" of notables from around the governorate. To do so, it will solicit nominations from political parties, provincial/local councils, professional and civic associations, university faculties, tribal and religious groups. Nominees must meet the criteria set out for candidates in the Fundamental Law. To be selected as a member of the Governorate Selection Caucus, any nominee will need to be approved by an 11/15 majority of the Organizing Committee.

- Each Governorate Selection Caucus will elect representatives to represent the governorate in the new transitional assembly based on the governorate's percentage of Iraq's population.

-- The Transitional National Assembly will be elected no later than May 31, 2004.

4. Restoration of Iraq's Sovereignty

-- Following the selection of members of the transitional assembly, it will meet to elect an executive branch, and to appoint ministers.

-- By June 30, 2004 the new transitional administration will be recognized by the Coalition, and will assume full sovereign powers for governing Iraq. The CPA will dissolve.

5. Process for Adoption of Permanent Constitution

-- The constitutional process and timeline will ultimately be included in the Fundamental Law, but need to be agreed in advance, as detailed below.

-- A permanent constitution for Iraq will be prepared by a constitutional convention directly elected by the Iraqi people.

-- Elections for the convention will be held no later than March 15, 2005.

-- A draft of the constitution will be circulated for public comment and debate.

-- A final draft of the constitution will be presented to the public, and a popular referendum will be held to ratify the constitution.

-- Elections for a new Iraqi government will be held by December 31, 2005, at which point the Fundamental Law will expire and a new government will take power.

For the Governing Council: Jalal Talabani

For the Coalition Provisional Authority: L. Paul Bremer, David Richmond

Date: November 15, 2003

© Scoop Media