SECURITY COUNCIL DEPLORES IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW REMOVAL OF ABOUT 130 MISSILE ENGINES FROM ITS TERRITORY
Press Release
SC/6308
SECURITY COUNCIL DEPLORES IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW REMOVAL OF ABOUT 130 MISSILE ENGINES FROM ITS TERRITORY
19961230 Presidential Statement Strongly Reaffirms Full Support for United Nations Special Commission's MandateThe Security Council this morning deplored the Iraqi Government's refusal to allow the removal of approximately 130 missile engines from the country for analysis by international experts working for the United Nations Special Commission, which was set up under resolution 687 (1991) in connection with the disposal of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
In a statement read by its President Francesco Paolo Fulci (Italy), the Council affirmed that Iraq was required to allow the Special Commission to remove the missile engines from its territory. It reaffirmed that a full accounting for Iraq's missiles with ranges of more than 150 kilometres was a necessary prerequisite to enable the Special Commission to report that Iraq had complied with the requirements of section C of Council resolution 687 (1991).
The Council welcomed any offer from Member States of their national facilities to enable the Special Commission to conduct the necessary analysis and strongly reaffirmed its full support for the Special Commission in the conduct of its mandate.
By the terms of section C of resolution 687, Iraq is to accept the destruction, removal or rendering harmless of all of its chemical, biological weapons and missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometres and related major parts. Also, the country would unconditionally agree not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons or related materials.
The full text of the statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1996/49, reads as follows:
"The Security Council notes that the Special Commission and the Government of Iraq previously agreed that the investigation of unilateral destruction of proscribed items is a fundamental area to accelerate the
Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6308 3729th Meeting (AM) 30 December 1996
verification of the Iraqi Declarations. In this regard, the Council deplores the refusal by Iraq to allow the Special Commission to remove approximately 130 missile engines from Iraq for analysis by a team of international experts under the Special Commission. The Council notes that such action complicates the implementation by the Special Commission of its mandate.
"The Security Council reaffirms that a full accounting for Iraq's missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometres is a necessary prerequisite to enable the Commission to report that Iraq has complied with the requirements of section C of resolution 687 (1991). The Council fully supports the intention of the Special Commission to carry out thoroughly the examination and analysis in the missile area, either on the basis of dispatching international teams of experts to Iraq or examining the relevant items abroad.
"The Security Council reminds the Government of Iraq of its obligation to comply with the provisions of the relevant resolutions and the need to cooperate fully with the Special Commission in order to enable it to report that the requirements of section C of resolution 687 (1991) are met. In this perspective, the Council affirms that Iraq is required to allow the Special Commission to remove the missile engines from its territory. The Council welcomes any proposal from member States to offer their national facilities to the Special Commission in order to enable it to conduct the necessary analysis, if and when the Commission deems it necessary.
"The Security Council strongly reaffirms its full support for the Special Commission in the conduct of its mandate under the relevant resolutions of the Council. The Council reaffirms the right and privileges of UNSCOM as stated in its previous relevant resolutions and in particular its resolutions 687 (1991), 707 (1991) and 715 (1991)."
The Council meeting, called to order at 11:34 a.m., was adjourned at 11:39 a.m.
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