Statement by Alexander Yakovenko, the Spokesman of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regarding the Formation of Iraq's Transitional Government

Unofficial translation from Russian

On April 28 the formation of a Transitional Government led by Ibrahim al-Jaafari was announced in Iraq. The representatives of many influential political and ethno-confessional groups of the country have been included in the Cabinet following lengthy and complicated consultations. Thus, the process of the establishment of a system of transitional bodies of power, based on the results of the January 2005 elections, is nearing completion.

The new Iraqi leadership will have to tackle the difficult tasks facing them at a crucial period in which a constitution is to be drafted and adopted, and a general election prepared and held. On the coordinated actions of the members of the coalition government both the success of efforts for a return to normalcy and the economic reconstruction of Iraq, and the trust of the people in the transitional administration and the political process as a whole will depend to a significant extent. It is undoubted that in the first place the government needs to enlist understanding and support from the population of Iraq.

Russia, having consistently been supportive of compliance with the timetable for the political process set in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546, regards favorably the creation of the Transitional Government of Iraq and is ready for comprehensive cooperation with them in the interests of the postwar reconstruction of the country, rehabilitation of its economy and the strengthening of its national sovereignty.

April 28, 2005