To the Finland Station?

Details of high-level private talks to find a settlement in Iraq

Press release Monday 3 September

Leading representatives of Iraqi political parties and others linked to a range of groups close to the conflict completed four days of discussions in Finland

Participants committed themselves to work towards a robust framework for a lasting settlement. Those present agreed to a set of recommendations to start negotiations to reach national reconciliation. These recommendations are contained in the attached Helsinki Agreement. The principles of inclusivity, power-sharing and a commitment to removing the use of violence as a means of resolving political differences were among the most urgent concerns agreed.

Brought together by the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at the University of Massachusetts - Boston, with the assistance of the Crisis Management Initiative, sixteen Iraqi delegates were aided by senior representatives of peace processes of Northern Ireland and South Africa to explore the current situation in Iraq.

No further information can be offered at this stage.

Helsinki Agreement

Representatives of Iraqi parties and blocs held discussions in Finland from August 31 through September 3, 2007 and agreed to consult further on the following recommendations to start negotiations to reach national reconciliation:

1. To resolve all political issues through non-violence and democracy.

2. To prohibit the use of arms for all armed groups during the process of
negotiations.

3. To form an independent commission approved by all parties, its task being to
supervise the process of disarmament of non-governmental armed groups in a
verifiable manner.

4. All parties will commit to accept the results of the negotiations and no party
can be subject to a threat of force from any groups that reject all or part of any
agreement reached.

5. To work to end international and regional interference in internal Iraqi affairs.

6. To commit to protect human rights.

7. To assure the independence and efficiency of the legal and justice systems,
especially the constitutional court.

8. To ensure the full participation of all Iraqi parties and blocs in the political
process and agreed governance arrangements.

9. To take all necessary steps to end all violence, killings, forced displacement
and any further damage to infrastructure.

10. To establish an independent consultative body to explore ways to deal with the
legacy of the past in a way that will unite the nation.

11. All Iraqi parties and blocs have to build Iraq and contribute efficiently to
support all the efforts that would make the political process and Iraqi unity
successful and to preserve its sovereignty.

12. All participating groups must commit to all of the principles listed here as a
complete system of rules.