SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS IRAQ'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH DEMAND TO ALLOW IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO SITES DESIGNATED BY SPECIAL COMMISSION

14 June 1996

Press Release
SC/6234

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS IRAQ'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH DEMAND TO ALLOW IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO SITES DESIGNATED BY SPECIAL COMMISSION

19960614 Presidential Statement Says New Dimension of Non-compliance Marks Serious Step Backwards in Iraq's Cooperation with Special Commission

Citing Iraq's refusal on 13 June to allow inspection of sites designated by the United Nations Special Commission, the Security Council this afternoon condemned that country's failure to comply with its resolution 1060 (1996), adopted on 12 June, by which it demanded that Iraq allow Commission's inspection teams to have immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to any and all facilities and equipment which they wished to inspect.

The Special Commission was set up under Council resolution 687 (1991) to oversee the destruction, removal or rendering harmless of all Iraq's chemical and biological weapons and related capabilities and facilities, and its ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometres.

In a statement read out by its President, Nabil Elaraby (Egypt), the Council rejected attempts by Iraq to impose conditions on the conduct of inspections by the Special Commission. Coming after the denial of access on 11 and 12 June, the Council stated, "this new dimension of non-compliance marks a serious step backwards in Iraq's cooperation with the Special Commission and constitutes a clear and flagrant violation of Council resolutions 687 (1991), 707 (1991) and 715 (1991)" -- those resolutions contain provisions concerning the disposal of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The Council requested the Executive Chairman of the Special Commission to visit Baghdad as soon as possible with a view to securing "immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to all sites which the Special Commission wishes to inspect, and to engage in a forward-looking dialogue on other issues under the Commission's mandate". He was further requested to report immediately after his visit on its results and on the impact of Iraqi policies on the mandate and work of the Special Commission.

Also by the text, the Council demanded once again that Iraq comply with its relevant resolution and, in particular, allow the inspection teams of the Special Commission immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to any and all areas, facilities, equipment, records and means of transportation which they wished to inspect.

Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6234 3674th Meeting (PM) 14 June 1996

The full text of the statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1996/28, reads as follows:

"The Security Council condemns the failure of Iraq to comply with its resolution 1060 (1996) of 12 June 1996 by refusing access to sites designated by the Special Commission on 13 June 1996. Coming after the denial of access on 11 and 12 June 1996, this new dimension of non-compliance marks a serious step backwards in Iraq's cooperation with the Special Commission. The Council considers that these events constitute a clear and flagrant violation of its resolutions 687 (1991), 707 (1991) and 715 (1991).

"The Security Council reiterates its full support for the Special Commission in the conduct of its inspections and the other tasks entrusted to it by the Council. The Council rejects attempts by Iraq to impose conditions on the conduct of inspections by the Special Commission.

"The Security Council demands once again that Iraq comply with the relevant resolutions of the Council and, in particular, allow the inspection teams of the Special Commission immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to any and all areas, facilities, equipment, records and means of transportation which they wish to inspect.

"The Security Council requests the Chairman of the Special Commission to visit Baghdad as soon as possible with a view to securing immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to all sites which the Special Commission wishes to inspect, and to engage in a forward-looking dialogue on other issues under the Commission's mandate. It further requests the Chairman to report immediately afterwards on the results of his visit and on the impact of Iraqi policies on the mandate and work of the Special Commission."

The meeting, which was called to order at 5:31 p.m., was adjourned at 5:36 p.m.

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