By Nicola Smith - 16th May 2004
The killing of the president of the Iraqi Governing Council will not destabilise the transition of power, said Jack Straw on Monday.
Britain's foreign minister expressed “shock and outrage” at the murder on Monday morning of Izzadine Saleem and three other Iraqis in a car bomb.
Straw said the attacks was an attempt by “nihilist” terrorists to “destroy the peaceful transition to a democratic and representative Iraq”.
Paying tribute to Saleem , Straw said that today’s attack would “not undermine the determination of Iraqis nor of the coalition to see that a democratic Iraq is established as soon as possible”.
The transition of power from allied powers to the Iraqi Governing Council is due to take place on June 30, to be followed by elections for a democratic government in January 2005.
“What the murders today prove is that there are nihilist terrorists in Iraq who are trying to destroy a process by which Iraqis will take control of their own lives,” charged Straw.
“I am clear that what Mr Izzadine Saleem stood for was and is widely supported by an overwhelming majority of Iraqis. They want a representative and democratic Iraq and a quick transfer of sovereignty on 30 June from the coalition to the Iraqi people.”
Referring to the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of coalition troops, currently dominating headlines across the world, Straw described the actions as “outrageous” and “totally unacceptable.”
Later today, EU foreign ministers gathering in Brussels will issue a strong statement criticising the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of members of the allied forces, and will stress a "vital and growing role" for the UN in the transition of power.
Straw confirmed that neither Britain nor the US had any objections to the strong terms in the EU declaration.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.