October 16, 2003 - This morning the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1511 by a 15-0 vote.

By that resolution the Security Council has determined that “the Governing Council and its ministers are the principal bodies of the Iraqi interim administration, which, without prejudice to its further evolution, embodies the sovereignty of the State of Iraq during the transitional period until an internationally recognized, representative government is established and assumes the responsibilities of the [Coalition Provisional] Authority.”

That is a most important provision in that it is the first international recognition of the Governing Council as the legitimate government of the State of Iraq. In giving its representative a seat at the table neither the Arab League nor the Organization of the Islamic Conference has gone that far.> today Iraqi sovereignty rests not in the CPA and J, Paul Bremer, but rather in the Iraqi Governing Council. Under the UN Charter that determining provision has the force of international law by which the United States is bound.

The Security Council also determined that the “provision of security and stability is essential to the successful completion” of the process of forming a permanent government and authorized a multinational force “under unified command” to provide for ”the security of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, the Governing Council of Iraq and other institutions of the Iraqi interim administration…” The Council expressly decided that it will review the requirements for and mission of the international force on October 16, 2004 and on that occasion to consider “any future need for the continuation of the multinational force, taking into account the views of an internationally recognized, representative government of Iraq.

It is being hailed as a diplomatic triumph by Secretary of State Colin Powell and to a certain extent it is that. In securing a recognition of Iraqi sovereignty residing in the Iraqi Governing Council and the setting of a one year timetable for the reestablishment of a government independent of the Coalition Provisional Authority the Secretary not only overcame the opposition of Berlin, Paris, Moscow and Beijing, he also out flanked his opponents in Washington. The resolution that he secured effectively limits the Pentagon’s tenure in Baghdad to one year from today. As the voice of Iraqi sovereignty the Governing Council, not the Pentagon directed Coalition Provisional Authority, becomes the legitimate contracting authority for long term contracts for economic development with the international community.

Good Job, Secretary Powell, but a word of caution. Watch your right flank.