"Her appointment is to communicate the face of the new Iraq," Zebari

BAGHDAD, November 23 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Iraq's interim Governing Council on Sunday, November 23, appointed an Iraqi woman as ambassador to the United States, as U.S. overseer in the country Paul Bremer has launched the process of drawing up a basic law for the transitional period in Iraq.

Rand Rahim Francke, who resides in the U.S. and holds dual nationality, is the first Iraqi envoy to Washington in 13 years, in a move it said was aimed at putting across the "face of the new Iraq", reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Speaking at a press conference with Mrs. Francke, interim Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari underscored the significance of her appointment to Washington as "one of the most important locations for resuming our diplomatic activities".

"Her appointment will allow us to communicate more effectively with the U.S. administration on Iraq's development during this critical and defining moment in the history of our country," said Zebari as he foresaw "re-establishing full diplomatic relations with the United States."

"Her appointment is to communicate the face of the new Iraq, demonstrate Iraq's increasing momentum in regaining its sovereignty and autonomy over its decision-making and how we are increasing our capacity building within the ministry of foreign affairs," he added.

"With this appointment we hope to put an end to the past of conflict and war ... and establish relations characterized by mutual respect," Zebari said.

He introduced Mrs Francke as a human rights activist for many years and "a strong lobbyist on issues of freedom and democracy".

He said she helped establish Iraq Foundation in 1991 (in Washington) and is a familiar face both within the Iraqi communities in the United States.

"Iraqi women were marginalized diplomatically and politically under the old regime," he added. "Surely, we are also sending a message here that Iraqi women will be involved in political and diplomatic activities."

"We are also planning to continue this effort to resume our diplomatic activities and have new appointments," including to Turkey and Iran, which Zebari recently visited with a delegation of the Governing Council, and to the United Kingdom, he said.

'Particular Character'

Rand Rahim speaks during the news conference

The new envoy told reporters her mission "has a particular character because Iraq has not been represented in the United States for 13 years".

"I want to erase the image of the detestable past. Even when the embassy was open it was a source of fear and menace for Iraqi expatriates and not respect. My role will be to establish friendly relations with the expatriates," Francke said.

The new envoy said she felt her new job was an "extension" of her former job at the Iraq Foundation.

"My duty is to reflect the true and accurate picture of the Iraq we are in the process of building ... and to convey with truthfulness and accuracy the aspiration of the Iraqi people to rise to the level of a nation that is modern, that is developed, that can join with confidence the community of civilized nations," she said in English.

"My further responsibility is to extend lines of communication to the Iraqi community in the United States which numbers over 400,000 people."

Zebari said Francke "will literally be our ambassador to the United States but acting under her official title as the head of the Iraqi interests section in Washington."

"Arrangements have been agreed upon with the Kingdom of Bahrain to be the protectorate of our interests in Washington, thus replacing Algeria," which had assumed that role since 1991, he said.

Iraqi Basic Law

Meanwhile, U.S. civil administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer has launched the process of drawing up a basic law for the transitional period in Iraq until a new constitution is voted on in two years' time, an occupation spokesman said Sunday, November 23.

"Mr. Bremer met members of the Governing Council to launch the process of drawing up the basic law," a spokesman for the U.S.-led forces occupying Iraq told journalists.

The basic law will include procedures for electing a transitional assembly and must be approved by February 28 next year, under a timetable for transferring sovereignty to the Iraqis agreed by Bremer and the U.S.-appointed Governing Council.

In line with this accord, the law will require respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of worship, equality for all citizens, separation of powers and a measure of decentralization, notably for Kurdistan.

It will also stipulate civilian control over the armed forces and police and the introduction of a democratic system.

Civilian Flights Suspended

Separately, the U.S.-led occupation has ordered the suspension of all civilian flights into Baghdad after a missile strike on a cargo jet belonging to German-owned courier DHL, a senior military spokesman said Sunday.

"There is a hold right now on Royal Jordanian and DHL civilian aircraft pending further investigation," Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt told a Baghdad briefing.
"Military air travel will continue."

A DHL plane made an emergency landing at Baghdad airport Saturday, November 22, after being hit by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile over Baghdad and caught fire. 

Witnesses, however, said that that a Russian-made Strella missile was fired at the aircraft and the left wing caught fire, forcing it to make an emergency landing.