"It is for the Iraqi people freely to determine their future" declared the Speakers of parliaments of the countries neighbouring Iraq at a meeting held by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Amman on 12 and 13 May.

From left to right: Mr A.B. Johnsson, Mr A. Majali, Mr B. Arnic, Mr K.B.A. Al-Dahrani, Mr A.F. Sorour, Mr S.B.A. Bin Hemaid, Mr S. Páez, Mr J.M.A. Al-Khurafi, Mr M. Karoubi, Mr M. Al-Abrash and Mr N.E. Bouchkouj.

The meeting, chaired by the IPU President, Chilean Senator Sergio Páez Verdugo, was hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jordan, Mr. Abdulhadi Majali. Also present were the Chairman of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain, Mr. Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Dahrani; the Speaker of the People's Assembly of Egypt, Mr. Ahmed Fathy Sorour; the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Mehdi Karoubi; the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait, Mr. Jasem Mohammad Abdulmohsen Al-Khurafi; the President of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Salih Bin Abdulla Bin Hemaid; the Speaker of the People's Council of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mr. Mahmoud Al-Abrash; and the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mr. Bulent Arinc. The meeting also included the participation of Mr. Ross Mountain, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, ad interim; Mr. Anders Johnsson, the Secretary General of the IPU; and Mr. Nour Eddine Bouchkouj, Secretary General of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union.

A year after the IPU Conference in Santiago de Chile which coincided with the outbreak of the war in Iraq, the Speakers of parliaments present in Amman said that they were convinced “of the urgent need to address the very precarious and complicated security situation throughout Iraq”. They joined with many others in calling for respect for the rule of law, human rights and humanitarian law, and for an early, peaceful resolution of the crisis. “We are incensed at the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment that has been meted out by members of the occupation forces to some of the Iraqis who have been detained by them. We condemn this flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and basic principles of humanity, and call for those responsible to be brought to justice.” The Speakers also expressed their sympathy with the people of Iraq, who are enduring immense suffering as a result of the continuing conflict that has resulted from the occupation.

The Speakers stated that they "reaffirm that Iraq’s wealth should not be used, nor its natural resources depleted, to implement the reconstruction process. We reaffirm that the people of Iraq must retain sole ownership over all their natural and cultural resources."

According to IPU President Sergio Páez Verdugo, "the subject which we have gathered to discuss in Amman is a serious one and demands urgent action. It involves the fate of a people that has fallen prey to violence and fear. But in this adversity there is also an opportunity for Iraqi society to grow with freedom and justice."

From left to right: Mr A. Majali, Mr K.B.A. Al-Dahrani, Mr J.M.A. Al-Khurafi, Mr A. Gross, Mr S.B.A. Bin Hemaid, Mr B. Arnic, Mr R. Mountain, Mr S. Páez, Mr M. Karoubi, Mr A.F. Sorour and Mr N.E. Bouchkouj.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ross Mountain, declared that "one of the fundamental issues here is support for Iraq in its environment and in its region, as Iraq has not always had the best relations with its neighbours. The Secretary-General has emphasised the importance of the countries of the region working together to support Iraq, so that it can restore stability and re-establish its sovereignty, and as we look forward, be a very active democratic player in the region. We regard this meeting as extremely important".

In the view of Mr. Nour Eddine Bouchjouj, the Secretary General of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, "this meeting is important for a number of reasons. All the Speakers of the parliaments in countries neighbouring Iraq responded to the IPU's invitation, and the decisions were taken unanimously. These countries feel they must do something to help Iraq out of the current crisis. There is unanimous support among the region's parliamentarians for the efforts of the United Nations to bring Iraq back onto the international and regional scene and to ensure that it can take its rightful place among nations."

IN AMMAN, SPEAKERS PRESENT ARE CONVINCED "OF THE URGENT NEED TO ADDRESS THE VERY PRECARIOUS AND COMPLICATED SECURITY SITUATION THROUGHOUT IRAQ"

The Speakers said:

"The IPU can offer a great deal to help draw up a constitution, build democracy and establish institutions in Iraq"

We spoke at length about the situation in Iraq. We have different views. This was the first time that we, as Speakers of parliaments from countries neighbouring Iraq, decided to sit down and talk to see what we could do, what plans we could possibly devise to propose to the leaders of the region and the leaders of the world. From the discussions we have had here, I sense that there is some hope for agreeing on what we can propose. The IPU is very important, because the IPU is an international, democratic world organisation, and the entire world wants to see Iraq go back to being a democratic country which is strong both politically and economically. We are all interested in seeing Iraq return to the IPU as a member. The IPU can offer a great deal to help draw up a constitution, build democracy and establish institutions in Iraq. So there is a possibility that the IPU will play a very important role in the future in helping to ensure a good standard in Iraq.

Mr. Abdulhadi Majali, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jordan

"We have an enormous responsibility to support Iraq"

As neighbours of Iraq and as our country shares with Iraq a common geography, we believe that we must help to overcome as quickly as possible the problems that the Iraqi people are now confronting. We have an enormous responsibility to support Iraq as it deals with these problems. It is important for the Speakers of parliaments to discuss these problems.

Mr. Bulent Arinc, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey

"I hope that those who should listen, will listen to what we are saying, because ours are the countries that are most involved"

The importance of this meeting is that we as people from the countries involved want to show our eagerness to find solutions for Iraq. We are very happy when we see the President and the Secretary General of the IPU involved along with the Speakers and that all of parliaments of the countries neighbouring Iraq. It carries a lot of weight, and I hope that those who should listen, will listen to what we are saying, because it is our countries that are most involved. This event sends a strong message. It is the first time that I have seen all the Speakers come and participate, in response to such an invitation.

Mr. Jasem Mohammad Abdulmohsen Al-Khurafi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait

"The results should be seen in the near future"

The IPU is the world centerpiece of people power. All the Speakers of parliaments of the countries neighboring Iraq are looking forward to seeing the results of this meeting. The most important thing is that the Iraqis should know that the people of the world care about the Iraqi people. That is why this meeting is very important. The Iraqi people have faced extreme hardship, for example shortages of medicines. When they hear that this kind of gathering takes place, they will have some sense of optimism. The results should be seen in the near future.

Mr. Mehdi Karoubi, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Iran

"We are making every effort to help in the reconstruction and find a solution to the Iraqi problem"

It is very important to find a solution for Iraq. Many people understand that the Iraqi people must be happy and secure, and must be able to live in normal conditions. This meeting is just a beginning. It is the first time that we have had a meeting like this at the parliamentary level. We are making every effort to help in the reconstruction and to find a solution to the Iraqi problem.

Mr. Mahmoud Al-Abrash, Speaker of the People’s Assembly of the Syrian Arab Republic

"This is an appropriate way to provide support, and to keep providing it"

At this moment, we must support the United Nations in this issue, and especially the United Nations Secretary-General. The recommendations that will come out of this meeting are very important for the United Nations, and especially for the Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Brahimi. The Iraqi people have suffered a great deal. We think there is an urgent need to improve the situation so that they can live in peace and lead a normal life, lake any people. The support of parliaments is very important. As the representatives of some of these parliaments, we think this is an appropriate way to provide support, and to keep providing it.

Mr. Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Dahrani, Chairman of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain

"The IPU was the first to adopt a decision on Iraq after the war broke out"

This meeting is very important. The IPU was the first to adopt a decision on Iraq after the war broke out -- the decision taken in Santiago de Chile in April 2003, even before the United Nations Security Council took action. The IPU, as the world organisation of parliaments, has now taken the initiative of preparing for the situation in Iraq and confirming democracy and legitimacy in that country. It was only natural that it should be under the aegis of this organisation that we, the Speakers of parliaments of the countries neighbouring Iraq, should meet to highlight and point to the steps that must be taken to ensure the sovereignty of the Iraqi people. Thanks to the IPU, we, as the representatives of our peoples and defenders of democracy, are here to confirm these principles. We thank the IPU for the opportunity that it has given us to be together here today.

Mr. Ahmed Fathy Sorour, Speaker of the People's Assembly of Egypt

"We know the important role played by parliaments in the world, and also the importance of this world organisation of parliaments"

We know the important role played by parliaments in the world, and also the importance of this world organisation of parliaments. We are very happy to participate in this meeting. The fact that all the invited Speakers have come sends a strong signal. This event follows a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the countries neighboring Iraq; it therefore demonstrates the strong interest of the peoples of the region. We feel strongly that is was important to take part.

Dr. Salih Bin Abdulla Bin Hemaid, President of the Shoura Council of Saudi Arabia