Security Council resolution 1637 (2005) [on extension of the mandate of the Multinational Force in Iraq]
Symbol: S/RES/1637(2005)
Date: 2005-11-08
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/60 [119] IRAQ SITUATION
Subjects: Multinational Force in Iraq|Development Fund for Iraq|Development Fund for Iraq. International Advisory and Monitoring Board|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|INTERNAL SECURITY|PETROLEUM REVENUES|IRAQ|IRAQ SITUATION|SANCTIONS|FUNDS|PERIODIC REPORTS|REPORT PREPARATION|UNITED STATES
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ALGERIA
vote: yes
country: ARGENTINA
vote: yes
country: BENIN
vote: yes
country: BRAZIL
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: DENMARK
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GREECE
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: PHILIPPINES
vote: yes
country: ROMANIA
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

              United Nations                                                                   S/RES/1637 (2005)**
              Security Council                                                      Distr.: General
                                                                                    11 November 2005




              Resolution 1637 (2005)
              Adopted by the Security Council at its 5300th meeting,
              on 8 November 2005

                      The Security Council,
                    Welcoming the beginning of a new phase in Iraq’s transition and looking
              forward to the completion of the political transition process as well as to the day
              Iraqi forces assume full responsibility for the maintenance of security and stability
              in their country, thus allowing the completion of the multinational force mandate,
                      Recalling all of its previous relevant resolutions on Iraq,
                      Reaffirming the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of
              Iraq,
                    Reaffirming also the right of the Iraqi people freely to determine their own
              political future and control their own natural resources,
                   Welcoming the commitment of the Transitional Government of Iraq to work
              towards a federal, democratic, pluralistic, and unified Iraq, in which there is full
              respect for political and human rights,
                   Calling upon the international community, particularly countries in the region
              and Iraq’s neighbours, to support the Iraqi people in their pursuit of peace, stability,
              security, democracy, and prosperity, and noting the contribution that the successful
              implementation of this resolution will bring to regional stability,
                    Welcoming the assumption of full governmental authority by the Interim
              Government of Iraq on 28 June 2004, the direct democratic elections of the
              Transitional National Assembly on 30 January 2005, the drafting of a new
              constitution for Iraq and the recent approval of the draft constitution by the people
              of Iraq on 15 October 2005,
                    Noting that the Government of Iraq established as a result of the election
              scheduled to take place by 15 December 2005 will play a critical role in continuing
              to promote national dialogue and reconciliation and in shaping the democratic future
              of Iraq and reaffirming the willingness of the international community to work
              closely with the Government of Iraq with respect to efforts to assist the Iraqi people,


           ** Second reissue for technical reasons.


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                     Calling upon those who use violence in an attempt to subvert the political
               process to lay down their arms and participate in the political process, including in
               the election scheduled for 15 December, and encouraging the Government of Iraq to
               engage with all those who renounce violence and to promote a political atmosphere
               conducive to national reconciliation and political competition through peaceful
               democratic means,
                     Reaffirming that acts of terrorism must not be allowed to disrupt Iraq’s
               political and economic transition, and further reaffirming the obligations of Member
               States under resolution 1618 (2005) of 4 August 2005 and other relevant resolutions
               and international obligations with respect, inter alia, to terrorist activities in and
               from Iraq or against its citizens,
                     Recognizing the request conveyed in the letter of 27 October 2005 from the
               Prime Minister of Iraq to the President of the Council, which is annexed to this
               resolution, to retain the presence of the multinational force in Iraq, and further
               recognizing the importance of consent of the sovereign Government of Iraq for the
               presence of the multinational force and of close coordination between the
               multinational force and that government,
                     Welcoming the willingness of the multinational force to continue efforts to
               contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq, including
               participating in the provision of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, as
               described in the letter of 29 October 2005 from the United States Secretary of State
               to the President of the Council, which is annexed to this resolution,
                     Recognizing the tasks and arrangements set out in the letters annexed to
               resolution 1546 (2004) of 8 June 2004 and the cooperative implementation by the
               Government of Iraq and the multinational force of those arrangements,
                     Affirming the importance for all forces promoting the maintenance of security
               and stability in Iraq to act in accordance with international law, including
               obligations under international humanitarian law, and to cooperate with relevant
               international organizations, and welcoming their commitments in this regard,
                     Recalling the establishment of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq
               (UNAMI) on 14 August 2003, underlining the particular importance of UNAMI
               assistance for the upcoming election by 15 December 2005 of a government
               pursuant to a newly adopted Constitution, and affirming that the United Nations
               should continue to play a leading role in assisting the Iraqi people and government
               with further political and economic development, including advising and supporting
               the Government of Iraq, as well as the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq,
               contributing to coordination and delivery of reconstruction, development and
               humanitarian assistance, and promoting the protection of human rights, national
               reconciliation, as well as judicial and legal reform in order to strengthen the rule of
               law in Iraq,
                     Recognizing that international support for security and stability is essential to
               the well-being of the people of Iraq as well as the ability of all concerned, including
               the United Nations, to carry out their work on behalf of the people of Iraq, and
               expressing appreciation for Member State contributions in this regard under
               resolution 1483 (2003) of 22 May 2003, resolution 1511 (2003) of 16 October 2003
               and resolution 1546 (2004),




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                 Recognizing that the Government of Iraq will continue to have the primary
           role in coordinating international assistance to Iraq and reaffirming the importance
           of international assistance and development of the Iraqi economy and the
           importance of coordinated donor assistance,
                 Recognizing the significant role of the Development Fund for Iraq and the
           International Advisory and Monitoring Board in helping the Government of Iraq to
           ensure that Iraq’s resources are being used transparently and equitably for the
           benefit of the people of Iraq,
                 Determining that the situation in Iraq continues to constitute a threat to
           international peace and security,
                Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
                 1.    Notes that the presence of the multinational force in Iraq is at the request
           of the Government of Iraq and, having regard to the letters annexed to this
           resolution, reaffirms the authorization for the multinational force as set forth in
           resolution 1546 (2004) and decides to extend the mandate of the multinational force
           as set forth in that resolution until 31 December 2006;
                 2.   Decides further that the mandate for the multinational force shall be
           reviewed at the request of the Government of Iraq or no later than 15 June 2006, and
           declares that it will terminate this mandate earlier if requested by the Government
           of Iraq;
                3.    Decides to extend until 31 December 2006 the arrangements established
           in paragraph 20 of resolution 1483 (2003) for the depositing into the Development
           Fund for Iraq of proceeds from export sales of petroleum, petroleum products, and
           natural gas and the arrangements referred to in paragraph 12 of resolution 1483
           (2003) and paragraph 24 of resolution 1546 (2004) for the monitoring of the
           Development Fund for Iraq by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board;
                 4.    Decides further that the provisions in the above paragraph for the deposit
           of proceeds into the Development Fund for Iraq and for the role of the International
           Advisory and Monitoring Board shall be reviewed at the request of the Government
           of Iraq or no later than 15 June 2006;
              5.   Requests that the Secretary-General continue to report to the Council on
           UNAMI’s operations in Iraq on a quarterly basis;
                6.    Requests that the United States, on behalf of the multinational force,
           continue to report to the Council on the efforts and progress of this force on a
           quarterly basis;
                7.    Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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Annex I
               Letter dated 27 October 2005 from the Prime Minister
               of Iraq addressed to the President of the Security Council
                                                                                   [Original: Arabic]

               Sir,
                     On 15 October 2005 Iraq voted in a general referendum held at the national
               level for the purpose of approving a new Constitution for Iraq. The country thus
               took another important step towards building a strong democratic future and
               establishing a Government elected in accordance with a permanent Constitution. At
               the same time, Iraq is approaching the completion of its political transformation
               through the process of electing its future legislative authority and forming a new
               Government, which is to take place in December 2005. There still remains an
               extensive agenda for reconstruction and political development, the realization of
               which will require security and stability.
                     We are proceeding towards political stability and economic prosperity and
               taking fundamental steps towards restoring security and stability. Yet Iraq is still
               confronted by forces of terrorism that incorporate foreign elements which carry out
               horrific attacks and terrorist acts in an attempt to thwart political and economic
               development in Iraq. The Iraqi security forces, which are growing in size, capacity
               and experience day by day, need more time to fill out their ranks, fully equip
               themselves and complete their training with a view to assuming responsibility for all
               security matters and providing adequate security for the Iraqi people. Until such
               time as the Iraqi security forces assume full responsibility for Iraq’s security, we
               need the continued support of the international community, including the
               participation of the Multinational Force, in order to establish lasting peace and
               security in Iraq. We understand that the Multinational Force is willing to continue its
               efforts. We therefore request the Security Council to extend, for a period of 12
               months starting 31 December 2005, the mandate of the Multinational Force, as
               provided in Council resolution 1546 (2004), including the tasks and arrangements
               specified in the letters annexed thereto, with the proviso that the Council shall
               review that mandate upon being so requested by the Government of Iraq or at the
               end of a period of eight months from the date of the resolution and declare, in the
               extension, that it will terminate the mandate before the expiry of that period should
               the Government of Iraq so request.
                     The Government of Iraq believes that the provisions of resolution 1546 (2004)
               relating to the deposit of proceeds into the Development Fund for Iraq and the role
               of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board will help to ensure that Iraq’s
               natural resources are used for the benefit of the Iraqi people. We understand that the
               funds deposited in the Development Fund for Iraq belong to Iraq and will continue
               to enjoy the immunities and privileges of the Fund, given the importance of those
               terms for the Iraqi people during this critical period. We request the Security
               Council to extend the validity of those terms for an additional 12 months and to
               review them upon being so requested by the Government of Iraq or at the end of a
               period of eight months from the date of the resolution.
                   The Iraqi people are determined to establish for themselves a stable, peaceful
               democracy, which will provide the basis for the establishment of a vibrant economy.



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           This vision of Iraq’s future can become a reality with the help of the international
           community.
                It is my understanding that the sponsors intend to have the present letter
           annexed to the resolution on Iraq currently being drafted. In the meantime, I should
           be grateful if you would have copies of this letter circulated to the members of the
           Security Council as soon as possible.


                                                       (Signed) Ibrahim Aleshaiker Al-Jaafari
                                                                               Prime Minister
                                                                              27 October 2005




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Annex II
               Letter dated 29 October 2005 from the Secretary of State
               of the United States of America to the President of the
               Security Council

                     Having reviewed the request of the Government of Iraq to extend the mandate
               of the Multinational Force (MNF) in Iraq (S/2005/687) and following consultations
               with the Government of Iraq, I am writing to confirm, consistent with this request,
               that the MNF under unified command stands ready to continue to fulfil its mandate
               as set out in Security Council resolution 1546 (2004).
                     Since the end of the occupation on 28 June 2004, the Government of Iraq and
               the MNF have developed an effective and cooperative security partnership to
               address the evolving nature of Iraq’s security environment, including the continuing
               need to prevent and deter acts of terrorism. This partnership plays a critical role in
               the daily efforts to improve security throughout Iraq. In the context of this
               partnership, the MNF is prepared to continue to undertake a broad range of tasks to
               contribute to the maintenance of security and stability and to ensure force
               protection, acting under the authorities set forth in resolution 1546 (2004), including
               the tasks and arrangements set out in the letters annexed thereto, and in close
               cooperation with the Government of Iraq. The forces that make up the MNF will
               remain committed to acting consistently with their obligations under international
               law, including the law of armed conflict.
                     Substantial progress has already been made in helping to build and train the
               Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), allowing them to take on increasing security
               responsibilities. The Government of Iraq and the MNF are developing a security
               plan to set forth the conditions necessary for transfer of security responsibility from
               the MNF to the ISF. Conditions permitting, we look forward to notable progress in
               the next year. Together, we will build towards the day when the Iraqi forces assume
               full responsibility for the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq.
                    The co-sponsors intend to annex the present letter to the resolution on Iraq
               under consideration. In the meantime, I request that you provide copies of the
               present letter to members of the Council as quickly as possible.


                                                                          (Signed) Condoleezza Rice




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