"After decades of tyranny and war, Iraq, a founding member of the United Nations, seeks to regain its rightful status in the community of nations," wrote U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. "While challenges remain, Iraq has made significant progress in recent months."
In February the council said it would lift the restrictions on Iraq after it ratified a number of international agreements, including the so-called Additional Protocol, an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear watchdog, on intrusive inspections.
Iraq has signed the Additional Protocol, submitted it to parliament for ratification and agreed to implement it provisionally until it enters into force. It has also pledged to never again develop nuclear, chemical or biological arms.
Even though Iraq has failed to ratify the protocol, Rice said the council would "consider bringing a formal end to restrictions imposed on Iraq ... including with respect to the oil-for-food program (and) civilian nuclear development."
The U.S. official said ending the restrictions "will allow Iraq to pursue a civilian nuclear program."
(Source: Reuters)
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