The November 15 Agreement

The November 15 Agreement: Timeline to a Sovereign, Democratic and Secure Iraq The Iraqi Governing Council and the Coalition Provisional Authority agreed November 15 to a timetable for the restoration of full Iraqi sovereignty, the creation of a permanent constitution, and the holding of free, national elections. Key dates of the agreement: The Transitional Administrative Law: A Guarantee of Basic Rights By February 28, 2004, the Iraqi Governing Council will approve a Transitional Administrative Law that defines the structures of a transitional government and the procedures for electing delegates to a constitutional convention. This Transitional Administrative Law will guarantee certain basic rights for all Iraqis during this transition, including freedom of speech and the press. It will also respect the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people, while providing guarantees of religious freedom for all Iragis. The Transitional Administrative Law will expire by the end of 2005, after a permanent constitution has been approved and elections have been held. By May 31, 2004, local caucuses will be convened in each of Iraq's 18 governorates to elect delegates from among their number for an Iraqi Transitional National Assembly. Full Sovereignty: End to Occupation By June 30, 2004, the Iragi Transitional National Assembly will elect it's leaders and assume full sovereignty for Iraq- The Governing Council and the Coalition Provisional Authority will be dissolved. This will end the responsibilities of the Coalition as an occupying power as specified in the United Nations resolutions - Democracy: Constitution and Elections By March 15, 2005, direct one-man, one-vote elections will be held for a constitutional convention. This convention will meet to write a permanent constitution, to be approved by the Iragi people in a referendum. By December 31, 2005, national elections for a new Iraqi government will be held based on the new constitution. The elected government will assume power. The transitional government will be dissolved. Security Throughout this process, Coalition Forces will continue to work side-by-side with new Iraqi police and security institutions to ensure a peaceful transition to a sovereign, democratic, secure Iraq. The Coalition will work with the Iraqi Governing Council and the new Transitional National Assembly to define these security arrangements. A Statement To the Iraqi People The November 15 Agreement signed by the Iraqi Governing Council and the Coalition Provisional Authority is an historic step. It provides for Iraqis to choose a new Iraqi Government, chosen through direct, national elections by the end of 2005, on the basis of a permanent constitution. It provides for a new constitution drafted by Iraqis, who will be chosen by full direct elections by March 2005. It restores Iraqi sovereignty and ends the occupation by June 30, 2004. It allows a Transitional Iraqi Government, chosen by caucuses in each governorate, to assume sovereignty and administer elections to draft a constitution. It ensures that the Transitional Government will operate under a law, drafted by Iraqis, which will provide basic guarantees of freedom for the Iraqi people. It provides the Iraqi people an opportunity to participate at every stage of the process that restores sovereignty and guarantees your freedom. Mane L. Paul Bremer, Administrator Jalal Talabani, President Iraqi Governing Council Coalition Provisional Authorityl