>From the transitional constitution and UN resolutions...cheers Ken Hanly
Consistent with Iraq¹s status as a sovereign state, and with its desire to join other nations in helping to maintain peace and security and fight terrorism during the transitional period, the Iraqi Armed Forces will be a principal partner in the multi-national force operating in Iraq under unified command pursuant to the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1511 (2003) and any subsequent relevant resolutions. This arrangement shall last until the ratification of a permanent constitution and the election of a new government pursuant to that new constitution." Whether this includes police and border guards is not clear. But there is no doubt that the Governing Council has agreed that the Iraqi Army be under US command until an Iraqi government is elected under a new constitution. The cover for this bizarre arrangement was provided in Security Council resolution 1511 passed last October, which transformed the occupation forces in Iraq into UN forces in all but name, but still under continued US command, and authorised them to use force to put down resistance to the occupation. This is contained in paragraph 13 of 1511, which reads: "[The Security Council] Determines that the provision of security and stability is essential to the successful completion of the political process as outlined in paragraph 7 above and to the ability of the United Nations to contribute effectively to that process and the implementation of resolution 1483 (2003), and authorizes a multinational force under unified command to take all necessary measures to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq"
