Future of Iraq

THE 13-point statement agreed at the end of the meeting on post-war Iraq said:

1. Iraq must be democratic.

2. A future government should not be based on communal identity.

3. A future government should be organised as a democratic federal system, but on the basis of countrywide consultation.

4. The rule of law must be paramount.

5. Iraq must be built on respect for diversity, including respect for the role of women.

6. The role of religion in state and society was discussed.

7. The principle that Iraqis must choose their own leaders was also discussednot have them imposed from outside.

8. Political violence must be rejected and Iraqis must immediately organise themselves for the task of reconstruction at both local and national levels.

9. Iraqis and the coalition must work together to tackle the immediate issues of restoring security and basic services.

10. The Ba’ath party must be dissolved and its effect on society must be eliminated.

11. There should be an open dialogue with all national political groups to bring them into the process.

12. The meeting condemned the looting which had taken place and the destruction of documents.

13. The Nasiriyah meeting voted to hold another meeting in 10 days in a location to be determined with additional Iraqi participants to discuss procedures for developing an Iraqi interim authority.