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Iraq
Area: 437,072 sq. km.
Population: 24,683,000 (July 2003 estimate).
Capital City: Baghdad (population: 3.8m 1986 estimate).
People: Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian and other 5% (estimated).
Language(s): Arabic, Kurdish, Assyrian, Armenian and Turkoman.
Religion(s): Muslim 97%, Christian or other 3% (estimated).
Currency: New Iraqi Dinar.
Major political parties: Assyrian Democratic Movement, Da'awa Party, Iraqi Communist Party, Iraqi Independent Democrats, Iraqi Islamic Party, Iraqi National Accord, Iraqi National Congress Party, Kurdistan Democratic Party, Kurdistan Islamic Union, National Democratic Party, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, United Iraqi Coalition, Kurdistan Alliance, Iraqi List, Iraqis
Government: Government of Iraq.
Head of State: President Jalal Talabani
Prime Minister: Nouri al-Maliki
Foreign Minister: Hoshyar Zebari
Membership of international groupings/organisations: Iraq is a member of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA), Arab Cooperation Council (ACC), Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), Arab League (AL), Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU), Customs Cooperation Council (CCC), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Group of 19 (G-19), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G-77), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), United Nations (UN), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
GEOGRAPHY
The Republic of Iraq is bounded to the north by Turkey, to the east by Iran, to the south-east by Kuwait and the Gulf, to the south and south-west by Saudi Arabia and Jordan and to the north-west by Syria. A short coastline of 56km gives it access to the Gulf.
Iraq has three distinct topographical regions: the north-east uplands and Kurdistan Mountains, the almost barren desert plains of the north-west and south, and the irrigated, heavily farmed Mesopotamian plain south of Baghdad between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates. Elevations range from sea level in the south-east to 3,700m in the north-east. Apart from the mountains in the north, almost all of Iraq is less than 500m in altitude.
HISTORY
Recent History
In early 1991, following Iraq's defeat during the Gulf war, serious unrest took place in Iraq. Uprisings in the south of the country were quickly crushed by troops loyal to President Saddam Hussein. In the north an uprising by Kurdish separatists initially overran large parts of Kurdistan but was overcome as troops in the south were redeployed to the north. An estimated 1-2m Kurds fled across the borders into Turkey and Iran. UN Security Council resolution 688 condemned the repression of Iraqi civilians and insisted that Iraq allow immediate access by international humanitarian organisations to all those in need of assistance.
The resolution resulted in an international humanitarian effort in designated ‘safe havens' on Iraqi territory north of latitude 36 degrees North. An air exclusion zone to protect the Iraqi Kurds was established north of latitude 36 degrees N and enforced by UK and US aircraft. A second air exclusion zone, south of latitude 32 degrees N was established by France, Russia, the UK and US in August 1992, with the aim of protecting southern Iraqi Shi'ite communities and the inhabitants of Iraq's southern marshlands. In 1996 the southern air exclusion zone was amended to south of latitude 33 degrees North. In 1997 the air surveillance operation was renewed with United Kingdom and United States aircraft enforcing the no-fly area.
Following the failure of negotiations between Kurdish groups and the Iraqi government in 1991, Saddam Hussein withdrew all Iraqi government services to the area, effectively subjecting it to an economic blockade. Despite successful elections in 1992 for a Kurdish National Assembly, the period from 1992-96 in the Kurdish areas of northern Iraq was marked by armed conflict between various Kurdish factions. An internationally brokered peace agreement between the two main Kurdish factions was subsequently reached in September 1999. As well as providing for elections (which did not take place), the agreement also took steps towards creating a unified regional administration, the sharing of local revenues, an end to hostilities and co-operation in implementing the Oil For Food programme to benefit the Kurdish population.
UN Compensation Commission
UN Security Council resolution 692 of May 1991 provided for a UN Compensation Commission for victims of Iraqi aggression to be funded by a levy of 30% on Iraq's oil revenues.
Oil For Food
The first attempts by the UN to start an Oil for Food-type Programme to alleviate the humanitarian suffering caused by UN sanctions on Iraq began with UN Security Council resolution 712 of September 1991. However, Iraq rejected this proposal and it was not until May 1996 that Iraq agreed to UN Security Council resolution 986 (April 1995), which allowed Iraq to sell some 700,000 barrels of oil per day over a six-month period under what became the Oil For Food programme. The UN ensured that the sale of Iraqi oil was closely linked to progress on accounting for and destroying Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The first Iraqi oil exports under UN Security Council resolution 986 began in December 1996.
Between 1996 and 2003 the Oil For Food agreement was extended regularly at six-monthly intervals. Various amendments to the scheme were agreed over this period, including increasing the value of sales and allowing Iraq to divert revenues to purchase equipment and carry out repairs to its oil production facilities. Following the conclusion of coalition action against Iraq in May 2003, the Oil For Food Programme was wound down over a six-month period, delivering priority goods from the remaining revenue in the Programme during this period. The Oil For Food Programme officially ended on 21 November 2003.
In April 2004, following the emergence of widespread allegations of corruption surrounding the Oil for Food Programme the UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, appointed an independent, high-level inquiry to investigate the administration and management of the Programme. The Independent resulting Inquiry Committee was headed by Paul Volcker. Its appointment was endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council in resolution 1538 (2004).
The Independent Inquiry Committee completed its investigations in 2005. Its findings are detailed in five reports of 3 February, 29 March, 8 August, 7 September and 27 October 2005. These reports have covered aspects of UN procurement, UN auditing, the role of the UN Secretariat, the UN Security Council and its “661 Committee” and the UN agencies in Iraq. The final report primarily addressed the role of individuals and companies involved in the Oil for Food Programme. All the Independent Inquiry Committee reports are available at their Website: www.iic-offp.org
Weapons Inspections
UN weapons inspectors went into Iraq as part of the conditions imposed on Iraq after its defeat at the end of the Gulf War in 1991.
They represented two bodies:
- The UN Special Commission was in Iraq to tackle the chemical, biological and missile programmes.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency was responsible for dismantling Iraq's existing nuclear weapons' programme.
The remit of UN Special Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency was to inspect any location at any time, to review any document and interview anyone working on the programme. They also had the authority to seize and destroy any prohibited materials.
Although the Iraqi regime obstructed the inspectors from the beginning, large quantities of materials for weapons of mass destruction were found.
Inspectors found and destroyed 40,000 munitions for chemical weapons, 2,610 tonnes of chemical precursors and 411 tonnes of chemical warfare agent. They discovered and dismantled many of Iraq's chemical and biological weapons facilities.
They removed and destroyed the infrastructure for Iraq's nuclear weapons programme, a programme they found to be within three years of producing nuclear weapons.
However, at the end of 1998, Iraq's persistent obstruction of the work of the UN inspectors finally forced them to leave. The inspectors were still unable to account for large quantities of precursor chemicals, bulk chemical weapons agent, munitions for delivering chemical and biological agents and, large quantities of growth media acquired for use in the production of biological weapons.
In March 1999 a UN panel of 22 independent disarmament experts (known as the Amorim Panel) concluded that serious gaps remained in Iraq's declarations on chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missiles, such as Iraq's failure to tell the truth over its production and weaponisation of the VX nerve agent.
With the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council resolution 1441 on 8 November 2002, and the increased political pressure on Iraq, the Iraqi regime finally relented. After a four-year gap, weapons inspections re-started on 27 November 2002. The inspection teams were made up of inspectors from the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission, headed by Dr Hans Blix, and the International Atomic Energy Agency, headed by Dr Mohamed El-Baradei.
Unfortunately, Iraq failed to co-operate in a transparent and proactive manner on the return of weapons inspectors. Up to 18 March 2003, when inspectors were forced to evacuate, Iraq had failed to answer a single one of the outstanding questions, or make a serious attempt to resolve any of the unanswered issues.
Military Action against Iraq
On 19 March 2003 a coalition of forces led by the US and UK commenced military action against Iraq. The UK decision to take military action to enforce Iraq's disarmament obligations, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, was taken as a last resort. The operation was codenamed 'Operation Iraqi Freedom'. By 7 April 2003 US forces had entered the capital Baghdad. By 9 April the Ba'ath regime had virtually disintegrated. Large crowds of Iraqis staged demonstrations on the streets denouncing the regime of Saddam Hussein.
Longer Historical Perspective
Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq became an independent Kingdom in 1932 following the end of a League of Nations Mandate. A government composed of former Ottoman officials, who were overwhelmingly Sunni Muslims, were presided over by a Hashemite King appointed during the Mandate. Arab nationalist discontent and demands for greater popular representation which led to increasing instability and bloodshed, resulted in a coup in 1958, when the royal family and its principal allies were killed. From 1958 to 1963 the successor republic led by Abdel-Karim Qasim was similarly troubled by violence and was itself removed by a further military coup in 1963. From 1963 to 1968 Iraq was ruled by a succession of nationalist military officers but none were able to maintain stability.
General Ahmad Hassan al-Bakr and army officers supporting the Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'ath) Party staged a successful coup d'état in July 1968. The Ba'ath Party, founded in Syria during the 1940s, espoused radical Arab nationalism and socialism. General al-Bakr became President and Prime Minister and supreme authority was vested in the Revolutionary Command Council, of which al-Bakr was also Chairman. A key figure in this process who quickly established his dominance over the security services and military was his nephew and Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, Saddam Hussein.
Saddam Hussein, who had long exercised real power in Iraq, succeeded al-Bakr as Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council and President of Iraq in 1979. Shortly after taking power, and in an early display of his particularly ruthless approach to dealing with opposition, the new president ordered the execution of five members of the Revolutionary Command Council who had opposed him. The early 1980s saw a subsequent purge of the Iraqi administration to consolidate Saddam's control. Saddam Hussein focussed power on himself and an inner circle, which was largely made up of close relatives as well as fellow tribal members from or around his hometown of Tikrit. The constitution of Iraq was nominally the basis of government, but under Saddam the focus of power was the presidency, with real influence exercised by Saddam and his immediate family group. The Revolutionary Command Council was the highest policy-making body, chaired by Saddam Hussein who had unlimited executive powers. The Revolutionary Command Council, which included members of all three armed services, appointed the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Saddam Hussein himself assumed the position of Prime Minister in 1994. The Cabinet (Council of Ministers) was nominally responsible for carrying out the decisions of the legislature. The National Assembly had 250 members, who were elected to a four-year term by popular ballot. All members of the National Assembly were required to subscribe to the ideals of the Ba'ath Party.
Territorial disputes with Iran led Saddam Hussein to invade and embark on an inconclusive and costly war (1980-88) in which thousands were killed and in which the Iraqi Government used chemical weapons. During the 1980s, representatives of Iraq's 2.5-3m Kurds demanded greater autonomy. Attempts by the government to reach agreement with the Kurds were unsuccessful and by 1985 Kurdish guerrillas and Iranian forces were collaborating in attacks against Iraqi military and industrial targets. In 1988 the Iraqi Government retaliated by launching the Anfal campaign, using chemical weapons against Kurdish civilians including in the town of Halabja. The cease-fire with Iran later in 1988 did not stop these attacks but allowed Iraq to launch a new offensive against the Kurds. By 1989 the Iraqi government had effectively created a 30km wide uninhabited ‘security zone' along the whole of the border with Turkey and Iran forcing thousands of Kurds to seek refuge in Turkey and Iran.
In August 1990, on the pretext of disputes about the border, oil rights and its debt repayments, Iraq invaded Kuwait, taking control of the country and imposing a provisional ‘free government'. On 8 August 1990 Iraq announced its formal annexation of Kuwait. A series of UN Security Council resolutions demanded the withdrawal of Iraq forces, imposed sanctions on Iraq and Kuwait and declared Iraq's annexation null and void. At the request of Saudi Arabia, the US, UK and others despatched troops to Saudi Arabia to protect against a possible attack. Diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution foundered on Iraq's refusal to withdraw from Kuwait. In January 1991 a US-led multinational force, acting on the authority contained in UN Security Council resolution 678, began military operations to force Iraq to leave Kuwait. Iraqi troops were quickly defeated and surrendered in large numbers. By the end of February 1991 Iraq had renounced its claim to Kuwait, agreed to release prisoners of war and, to comply with all pertinent UN Security Council resolutions. A further UN Security Council resolution (687) established a commission to demarcate the border between Iraq and Kuwait and linked the removal of sanctions on Iraq to the elimination of non-conventional weaponry. It also required Iraq to pay war reparations out of Iraqi oil reserves. The UN Special Commission was charged with verifying the disarmament.
POLITICS
Political Developments
In early April 2003, following military action, the US-led coalition established an interim authority, the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance, to help administer Iraq. This was superseded by the creation of the Coalition Provisional Authority headed by US Special Representative in Iraq Ambassador Paul Bremer.
Transfer of power from the Coalition Provisional Authority to Iraqi Interim Government
On 28 June 2004 following consultations led by UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi authority was transferred from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the Iraqi Interim Government . The Interim Government comprised a President, two Vice Presidents, a Prime Minister, a Deputy Prime Minister, and 31 Ministers. The cabinet included six female Ministers. As a non-elected body, the Iraq Interim Government focussed on day-to-day administration including providing security, promoting economic development and preparing for elections.
January 2005 Election
Historic national elections took place on 30 January 2005 to elect Iraq's 275-member Transitional National Assembly and a transitional government. 8.45 million people, or 58% of the electorate, voted and the elections have been internationally recognised as legitimate. After redistribution of redundant votes, the United Iraqi Coalition received 140 seats, the Kurdistan Alliance 75 seats, the Iraqi List 40 seats and Iraqiyun 5 seats. However many Sunni Arabs chose not to participate.
The Transitional National Assembly met formally for the first time on 16 March 2005. Its first act was to elect Jalal Talabani as President of Iraq, and Adel Abdul Medhi and Ghazi Al-Yawer as two Vice Presidents. The new Prime Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari and most of his Cabinet were officially sworn in on 3 May 2005.
Constitution and Referendum
The Transitional National Assembly also drew-up a draft Constitution. A referendum to approve the constitution was held on 15 October 2005 and delivered a majority Yes vote in 15 of the 18 governorates. 10 million Iraqis voted - a turn out of 63%.
15 December 2005 Election
The approval of the constitution paved the way for elections in December 2005. Participation was high across all communities with just over 12 million people, or 76% of the electorate, voting. Once again the elections were assessed to be largely free of abuse and credible by international observers. Final certified results were announced on 10 February 2006. The United Iraqi Alliance (Shia coalition) received 128 seats, the Kurdish Alliance 53; Iraqi Tawafuq (Sunni Arab) 44; National Iraqiya List (centrists) 25; Iraqi Front for National Dialogue (Sunni Arab) 11; Kurdish Islamic Union 5; Al Risaliyun (Shia) 2. The remaining 7 seats were divided amongst 5 other parties. The new 275 seat Council of Representatives met for the first time on 16 March 2006.
These elections marked the end of the transitional period as envisaged in UN Security Council Resolution 1546 and the beginning of a new political era led by a sovereign four year government.
Permanent Government of Iraq
For the first time Iraq has a democratically elected four-year government of national unity. Prime Minister Maliki announced his cabinet on 20 May 2006 and the final three Ministerial positions of Defence, Interior and Security were filled on 8 June 2006. Although a long time coming the result is a government that is inclusive of all the main elements of society. Many challenges lie ahead: restoring security; entrenching national unity and reconciliation; improving governance and promoting economic reform.
Plan of National Reconciliation
Prime Minister Maliki announced the National Reconciliation Plan to the Council of Representatives on 25 June 2006. It provides a framework for dialogue with political leaders, clerics, armed groups and civil society on a number of controversial issues, vital for intra-communal confidence building. These include reviewing de-Ba’athification laws, and providing incentives for disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of those associated with the insurgency and militias and improving relations with Arab governments. Progress has been difficult in the face of deliberate attempts to divert them, for example, through the campaign of sectarian violence, but the process is key to achieving reconciliation and long-term improved security.
Constitutional Review
A Council of Representatives undertaking to review the Constitution soon after Government formation was key to reaching agreement on the draft Constitution text in October 2005. The Council of Representatives' Constitutional Review Committee of 27 members met for the first time on 15 November 2006 and at the Press Conference that followed the meeting members expressed a desire to work in a spirit of consensus.
The Constitutional Review Committee now has four working months to consider amendments to the Constitution. This period will actually extend over six months because of a planned parliamentary recess of two months over January and February 2007. The recommendations will then need to be voted upon by the Council of Representatives and a national referendum held. Iraq’s Political party leaders have committed to completing the constitutional review process, including the referendum, within a year of the Constitutional Review Committee starting work i.e. November 2007.
It is important that the review process ensures a credible, genuinely inclusive, transparent process that, as far as possible, contributes to rather than detracts from wider reconciliation efforts.
Regions Law
The Council of Representatives passed a Regions law on 11 October 2006. The law allows one or more provinces to form a region, though implementation of the law has been delayed for 18 months to allow the constitutional review to take place.
Facts and Figures
There are thirty-nine ministerial office holders (compared to thirty six in the transitional government). In total the government includes:
- 2 Deputy Prime Ministers
- 27 full Ministries
- 9 Ministers of State
Excluding the Prime Minister the political parties were allocated ministries as follows:
PARTY
| MINISTRY
| OTHER POSITIONS
| United Iraqi Alliance
| 13
| Prime Minister, Vice President, 5 Ministers of State
| Kurdistan Alliance
| 5
| President, Deputy Prime Minister
| Tawafuq (Sunni)
| 4
| Deputy Prime Minister, Vice President, 2 Ministers of State, Speaker
| Iraqiya (Allawi)
| 4
| 1 Minister of State
| Kurdistan Islamic Union
| -
| 1 Minister of State
| Independent
| 1
| -
|
There are four women in the Cabinet (as opposed to six in the last one). - Mrs Fatin Abd Al-Rahman Mahmoud - Min of State - Women's Affairs
- Mrs Wijdan Mikha'il – Minster for Human Rights
- Mrs Bayan Diza'i – Minister for Housing and Construction
- Mrs Narmin Uthman – Minister for Environment
There are 70 women currently elected to the new Council of Representatives (Parliament). This is just over 25% of the 275 members i.e. one more than the minimum 69 required under the Iraqi Constitution
UN Resolutions
1483 - May 2003 - Stressed the right of the Iraqi people freely to determine their own political future.
1500 - August 2003 - Established UN Assistance Mission to Iraq. Welcomed the creation of the Iraq Governing Council as an ‘Important Step.’
1511 - October 2003 - Reaffirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. The Resolution made clear that the Coalition Provisional Authority 's role would cease when an internationally recognised, representative government established by the people of Iraq was elected.
1546 - June 2004 - Set out the mandate for The Multinational Force which remains in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi Government. This also provided the mandate for UN's leading role in political facilitation, electoral and constitutional support as well as implementing activities in reconstruction and development, humanitarian assistance and human rights.
1557 - August 2004 - Extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq for 12 months.
1618 - August 2005 - Condemned a spate of terrorist attacks and commended the Iraqi people for their courage in pressing ahead with political and economic transition. Urged UN member states to prevent the transit of terrorists and their airs into Iraq in addition to preventing their financing.
1619 - August 2005 - Extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq for 12 months.8 November 2004.
1637 - 8 November 2005 - Extended the Multinational Force's mandate until the end of 2006 with provision for a further review in the interim.
1700 - August 2006 - Extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq for a further 12 months.
1723 - November 2006 - Further extended the Multinational Force’s mandate until 31st December 2007.
Reconstruction assistance for Iraq
The international community is actively engaged in helping rebuild Iraq and improving the quality of life for its people. In October 2003, 73 nations participated in a Donors' Conference in Madrid. A total commitment of more than US\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$32bn in grants and concessional loans marked a real sign of the international communities commitment. At the Iraq International Conference held in Brussels on 22 June 2005 the new Iraqi Government outlined its priorities for reconstruction and the international community agreed to continue its support and to deliver pledges made at Madrid. Successful Donor Meetings in Jordan followed on 18-19 July, which focused on coordination and delivery of development assistance. Additional contributions to UN and World Bank Trust Funds were announced by Australia, Denmark, European Commission, Greece, Italy and Spain. The World Bank made an announcement of \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$500m under the International Development Association programme
At the Madrid Donors' Conference the UK Government announced a total pledge of £544m towards the reconstruction effort in Iraq up to March 2006. We have now exceeded our Madrid pledge and the Chancellor recently announced an additional allocation of £100mn bringing the total UK commitment to £644mn.
The Department for International Development are working in Iraq to support policies and reforms which benefit the poor and strengthen public administration capacity, to provide basic infrastructure in southern Iraq, and to improve international aid effectiveness. The Department for International Development has disbursed over £367mn towards such support. This includes a £70mn contribution to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, divided between £40mn to the World Bank Trust Fund, and £30 mn to the United Nations Trust Fund.
The Department for International Development currently provides between 17% and 19% of European Community funding for Iraq. The European Community has committed over €500mn for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Iraq including €100mn for humanitarian assistance in 2003 and more than €600mn for reconstruction assistance in 2004/06. Department for International Development staff in Baghdad and Basra are working with the Iraqi authorities, with the UN, World Bank and other donors to make a difference on the ground.
Considerable work has taken place across Iraq to improve the quantity, quality and reliability of medical supplies). The Iraqi Ministry of Health has established a 24 hour Operations Centre to co-ordinate health issues. Routine vaccination restarted in mid-2003 and continues to be carried out effectively. There has been a decline in the prevalence of polio, measles, mumps, rubella, leishmaniasis, and malaria.
Over 5168 schools have been rehabilitated, a further 450 are planned or underway. 90 million textbooks have been reprinted, removing the propaganda of the Saddam Hussein regimes.
There are problems in generating adequate electricity supplies. However, electricity distribution is now more equitable across Iraq and major repair projects are underway to maintain a sustainable power grid and deliver increased output. Over \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$3.5 bn has been spent on electricity by the International Community, adding nearly 5,000 megawatts to the grid and boosting power supplies above pre-war levels. However, this has been largely offset by increased sabotage.
Access to safe water is now better than pre-conflict, and sewage and wastewater treatment plants are now operating again. Prior to the conflict none of the sewage treatment plants in Iraq were operational.
Transport and communications are improving. Key bridges are repaired and ports are rehabilitated. Iraqi Airways has restarted commercial flights after 14 years of being grounded. Baghdad International Airport, Basra Airport, Erbil Airport and Mosul Airport have begun commercial flights. There has been a significant increase in telephone and internet subscribers and a new mobile phone network with over 7 m subscribers.
Sanctions
Following the removal of the regime of Saddam Hussein the UN passed resolution 1483 (2003) which lifted the full economic sanctions imposed against Iraq by UN Security Council resolution 661 in 1990. The only measures remaining are an arms embargo, a ban on the trade of stolen Iraqi cultural property and a requirement to transfer to the Development Fund for Iraq all assets belonging to Saddam Hussein, senior members of his former regime or entities controlled by them.
ECONOMY
Basic Economic Facts
GDP: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$47bn (2006 estimate)
Inflation: 76.6% (12 months ending August 2006)
Major trading partners: US, Jordan, Canada, Italy, Turkey, Vietnam
Major industries: Petroleum, Chemicals, Textiles, Construction materials, food processing
Exchange rate: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$1 = 1,323.1 Iraqi Dinars
During the past three decades the Iraqi economy suffered from costly militarisation, three wars, pervasive state intervention, and over a decade of international sanctions. As a result Iraq's GDP per capita is estimated to have dropped from over \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$3,600 in the early 1980s to between \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$700 and \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$1,000 in 2001. More recently, hostility and subsequent looting, sabotage, and security problems have affected economic activity.
The revival and rebuilding of the Iraqi economy will not be easy. Mismanagement and embezzlement were rife under Saddam Hussein. The oil sector was starved of investment, and the Saddam regime built up huge debts through costly wars with Iran and Kuwait. Infrastructure, public services and industry were left in poor shape, unemployment was very high, and most people were left heavily dependent on the state-provided free-food ration.
Since May 2003 there has been a significant post-war economic and financial recovery, and Iraq's GDP rebounded quickly following the conflict. However in its August 2004 Article IV Report, the International Monetary Fund revised its estimate for 2005 GDP growth from 17% down to 4%, due to the disruption to production and export of oil as a result of security problems. Real economic growth is estimated to have averaged 4% for both 2005 and 2006.
A significant step was made on 21 November 2004, when the Paris Club announced agreement of a deal to write off 80 percent of Iraq's debt built up by the former regime (which totalled around \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$120 bn). Iraq agreed on 23 December 2005 a Stand-By Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund, which allows it to benefit from the second (30 per cent) tranche of Paris Club debt relief. When fully implemented, the Paris Club agreement will deliver \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$100 bn of debt relief to Iraq, and will be crucial to underpinning long-term economic prosperity. The UK share of reduction is US\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$1.39 billion. The UK and Iraq signed a bilateral deal implementing the Paris Club agreement on 25 January 2005.
On the 23 December 2005, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund approved a Stand-By Arrangement for Iraq, which is designed to support the Iraq's economic program over the next 15 months. The IMF arrangement, for an amount equivalent to 475.4 million Special Drawing Rights (about US\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$685 million), is being treated as precautionary by the Iraqi authorities.
In another positive step, the World Trade Organisation agreed on 13 December 2004 to open membership talks with Iraq. Once Iraq joins the World Trade Organisation, it should open up significant potential benefits for Iraq in terms of access to other members' markets, and in the shorter-term should also make Iraq more attractive for foreign investors. Iraq has been an observer to the World Trade Organisation since 11 February 2004.
Iraq holds the fourth largest proven oil reserves in the world (115bn barrels; 10 per cent of global reserves). However its potential reserves are unknown and are widely believed to have the world's second largest reserves of oil after Saudi Arabia. Its high dependency on oil makes the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in the oil price and also to sabotage attacks on the oil infrastructure. Economic diversification will therefore be important in the long term, although the oil sector will provide the basis for growth and stability in the medium term. Security will remain the key to the continued revitalisation of the economy in the short-term.
Iraq has a long trading history and is fortunate to have a rich natural resource base. With the end of the Saddam regime, there is a real opportunity for Iraqis to undo the damage of the past, exploit these natural advantages, and to set Iraq on the path to sustained economic growth and long-term prosperity.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
UK diplomatic representation in Iraq
The British Embassy reopened in Baghdad on 28 June 2004. Owing to security concerns, the current Embassy is now situated in the 'Green Zone', which contains a number of Government and diplomatic buildings. There is also an Office of the British Embassy in Basra which offers limited consular services and an office in Kirkuk with does not offer consular services.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Under Saddam Hussein's regime, torture was used as an instrument of state control and respect for human rights was non-existent. It will take time to build a culture of respect for human rights but progress is being made. The conclusion of an inclusive constitution, agreed by representatives from a wide spectrum of Iraqi society, and a democratically elected government reflecting the country's diverse cultures and beliefs demonstrate what has been achieved since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
The British government takes very seriously its international responsibility to help the people of Iraq build a strong and peaceful country in which their human rights are respected and the rule of law applies to all, regardless of rank or background. We are working with the government of Iraq, the Iraqi security forces and international partners to help them develop a pluralist political process, free from violence and with infrastructures that will strengthen human rights and rule of law. In 2005-06 the FCO has helped develop projects and programmes in Iraq valued at nearly £4m in support of these objectives.
As part of its human rights work the UK has: - Established the framework of a Human Rights Training Institute within the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights, including provision of materials, training for trainers and mentoring.
- Provided the Training Institute with training curricula, which it can use to train other ministries and the police on human rights issues.
- Provided segregated facilities for women and juveniles at two prisons in southern Iraq and provided enough portable medical facilities for most prisons in the Basra area
- Provided basic skills education package for juveniles in detention in the Basra area.
- Hosted a visit to the UK by a diverse group of influential Iraqi women. The visit focused on women's roles in post-conflict society, peace-building and governance issues.
- Held a regional capacity-building conference for 30 NGOs in March 2006, which provided educational material and helped the NGOs set up a network.
- Funded a study tour to the UK and training materials for a group of 10 Iraqi lawyers. This group will now train and mentor colleagues in Iraq, with the aim of raising awareness of human rights in law.
- Helped establish a National Centre for Missing Persons and Exhumations and supported the Medico-Legal Institute in Baghdad by providing specialist advice and materials.
- Helped fund the cost of sending international advisers to the Iraq High Court to provide advice on international law, including human rights, in the trial of Saddam Hussein and members of his former regime.
- Helped organise courses in the UK for senior Iraqi police, prison and judicial officers under the EU JUSTLEX and rule of law programme. All courses have been underpinned by human rights values, and have included specific human rights elements.
In conjunction with the Office of the Rt. Hon Ann Clwyd MP, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Human Rights in Iraq, the FCO carried out a Human Rights Small Grants Programme in 2005-06. This provided seed funding for 28 small Iraqi NGOs to undertake grass roots outreach work. Their work aimed to strengthen human rights through a wide range of initiatives, including radio programmes to inform listeners about their human rights, support for a women's shelter, and the design and distribution of educational leaflets and posters. Our embassy in Baghdad arranged a follow up conference in May 2006, which provided useful feedback and helped to develop networks amongst the NGOs.
Ann Clwyd MP was appointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Human Rights to Iraq in May 2003. She visits Iraq frequently to report back to the Prime Minister on developments in human rights. In the UK, Ann Clwyd meets on a regular basis with a range of interlocutors to discuss and promote the awareness of human rights issues. For example, she has recently met with a delegation of women judges from Basra, representatives from the Iraqi Turkomen community, Iraqi Trade Union delegates, a representative from the Iraqi gay community and hosted a roundtable of activists and NGOs working on women's issues. Ann Clwyd works closely with the Foreign Office in promoting respect for, and an understanding of, human rights and the rule of law in Iraq.
Over the past year, the FCO has built on its commitment to support the development of Iraqi civil society through the provision of assistance in funding, networking, training and capacity-building. We continue to work with international partners to ensure that Iraq becomes an environment in which civil society can flourish, and that new legislation regarding civil society organisations and trade unions meets international standards.
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