The United States and Britain introduced on Monday a UN draft resolution endorsing the formation of a new Iraqi government by June 30 to govern the country and authorizing the continued presence of a US-led multinational force there.  

The resolution, obtained by Xinhua, was circulated at a United Nations Security Council closed-door consultation, hours before President George W. Bush delivers later in the day a televised speech on new US strategies toward Iraq.

The draft says the US-British occupation would end by June 30, when the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad would cease to exist and an interim Iraqi government would assume "the responsibility and authority for governing a sovereign Iraq."

But it does not specify what sovereignty Iraqis would take over.

The measure approves a 12-month stay for the multinational force, which is mainly composed of US troops. Noting the force's mandate would be reviewed at the request of the transitional Iraqi government, it does not set a date for its departure.

On the sensitive issue of Iraqi forces, the draft does not say whether the new government would control its armed forces. It only "welcomes" the arrangements "to ensure coordination between the two."

Neither does it mention the issue of Iraq's jail system, which has gained world attention due to prisoner abuses by US troops. The Iraqi side and many countries have called for transferring the control of the jail system back to Iraqis.

Instead, the draft says the US troops shall continue to have authority to "take all necessary measures to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq."

Under the draft resolution, a new force would be created within the multinational force with a dedicated mission of providing security for UN staff and facilities in Iraq.

Instead of requesting a lifting of the UN arms embargo on Iraq, the resolution notes that the new Iraqi government and the multinational force shall not be bound by the ban.

On natural resources, it says Iraqis would have the right to disburse the Development Fund for Iraq, where revenues from oil and gas exports are deposited. But the International Advisory and Monitoring Board would continue to exist to ensure the fund be utilized in a transparent manner.

The resolution gives the United Nations a leading role in assisting in the formation of the provisional Iraqi government. The world body is also mandated to help with a national reconciliation conference, elections and constitutional process.

Emerging from the closed-door consultation, some diplomats said the US-British draft needs to specify security arrangements. The council will meet again on the draft Wednesday afternoon.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2004)