Strasbourg, 24/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the report of Elmar Brok (EPP-ED, Germany), the European Parliament has called for the "gradual transfer of civil and political responsibility to the Iraqi people, who, "must of this under United Nations control and in the framework of a clear United Nations mandate". This transfer of power should be accompanied "by the adoption of a political agenda for the election of a national constitutive assembly, preferably before the end of 2003", which would aim to adopt a new constitution for Iraq. The European Parliament insisted that EU Member States that have a seat at the United Nations Security Council promote this political agenda. To this end, the European Parliament called for an "arrangement with the USA", the amendment proposed by the Greens for getting rid of this point was rejected.
For the donors to Iraq conference in Madrid on 23-24 October, the European Parliament is calling for the preliminary definition of a clear reconstruction framework, including the assurance that, "management of Iraqi oil sales is conferred to the UN". MEPs are highlighting the fact that re-establishing security and basic services should be, "the main priority". They also believe that it is necessary "in all urgency ..to bring those responsible for civil rights violations to either the International Criminal Court or if this is not possible to an international ad hoc tribunal.
Amendments submitted by the Greens protesting against the "invasion" of Iraq contrary to "international law" and that of the EUL against the, "unjust, illegitimate and illegal attack" launched by the USA and the United Kingdom against Iraq were rejected. The EFA amendment on the draft recommendation (see EUROPE 12 September p 6) obtained 101 votes against 283, with 106 abstentions.