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European Council condemns the assassination of Chairman
of the
Iraqi Governing Council
The Council condemned the assassination on 17 May of the
Chairman of the Iraqi Governing Council, Mr. Abdul Zahra
Othman Mohammad also known as Izzedin Salim. The Council
expressed concern that the current campaign of terrorist
violence is leading to significant loss of life,
particularly among civilians, and is impeding the path to
political progress and economic reconstruction in Iraq.
The Council condemned all violence and terrorist attacks,
including the kidnappings and brutal murder of hostages, in
particular the savage execution of Mr. Nicholas Berg. They
deplored the taking of hostages in all circumstances and
called on those responsible to release immediately and
unharmed hostages and to desist from any further such
activity.
The Council expressed its abhorrence at recent evidence of
the mistreatment of prisoners in Iraqi prisons. The Council
condemned any instances of abuse and degradation of
prisoners in Iraq, which are contrary to international law,
including the Geneva Conventions.
The Council welcomed the commitment by the relevant
governments to bring to justice any individuals responsible
for such acts involving the abuse of Iraqi detainees, and
their commitment to rectify any failure to adhere to
international humanitarian law.
The EU continues to look forward to the transfer of
sovereignty in Iraq to a transitional government at the end
of June and to future national elections, with a vital and
growing role for the UN endorsed by the United Nations
Security Council. It fully supports the work carried out to
this end by the UN Special Advisor, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi. |
