PRESS CONFERENCE BY ARAB GROUP
Press Briefing
PRESS CONFERENCE BY ARAB GROUP
19970530
FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT ONLY
The Permanent Representative of Lebanon, Samir Moubarak, speaking as Chairman of the Arab Group, this afternoon met with correspondents to address "the very grave situation resulting from the aggression by Turkey against Iraq" since 13 May. It was an action that represented "a very dangerous and serious aggression against the security and stability of the region as a whole". It also came in the light of the military cooperation agreement between Turkey and Israel, with all its negative consequences for the security of the Arab region.
A communiqué by the Arab Group had been given to the Presidents of the Security Council and of the General Assembly, Mr. Moubarak said. He would be meeting with the Secretary-General immediately after the press conference and would also deliver the statement to the Group of Non-aligned States. He then read out the statement to correspondents.
He said the Arab Group of the United Nations underlines that the invasion violates the very principles of the United Nations, the basic principles of international law, and all the rules which govern good- neighbourly relations, as well as the 1926 agreement governing the borders between Turkey and Iraq.
According to the statement, the aggression puts the security of civilians at stake and violates fundamental human rights. The Arab Group considers the invasion will have definite negative consequences on the historical and civilized relations between the Arab countries and Turkey.
In this regard, the Arab Group recalls the statement on 15 May by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. It welcomes the statement on 22 May by the Secretary-General which criticized the invasion by Turkey and asked that it end. He had also drawn the situation to the attention of the Security Council.
In its statement, the Arab Group underlines the following four points:
First, the Arab Group condemns vigorously the military invasion of Iraqi territory by Turkey and considers the invasion is in complete and flagrant violation of the policy of good-neighbourliness and the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Secondly, the Arab Group asks Turkey to withdraw its troops from Iraqi territory, to put an end to this aggression, to withdraw immediately,
Arab Group Press Conference - 2 - 30 May 1997
completely and without any condition, and to refrain from using the situation in the north of Iraq.
Thirdly, the Arab Group draws the attention of the Security Council to its obligations to ensure the sovereignty of Iraq, the unity of its territories and the security of the region, in compliance with the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law.
Fourthly, the Arab Group opposes the establishment of any security arrangements under any pretext which would violate the sovereignty of Iraq, the unity of its territory and regional security.
A correspondent asked why the Arab Group had not called for an urgent meeting of the Security Council. Mr. Moubarak said the Arab Group had drawn the attention of the Security Council to its obligations under the Charter to ensure the sovereignty of Iraq and the unity of its territory, as well as the security of the whole region.
Asked if he had any plans to ask for an urgent Security Council meeting, Mr. Moubarak said the Arab Group considered the Turkish action "a very dramatic development". It could not accept the Turkish aggression, which had been going on for 18 days. It was high time to put an end to that aggression and see the Turkish troops withdrawn immediately without any conditions.
Had he tried to contact the Permanent Representative of Turkey to convey the Arab Group's position? a correspondent asked. Mr. Moubarak said he was scheduled to meet with the Turkish Ambassador at 5 p.m. today to hand him the statement.
Did the Arab Group plan any joint action outside the United Nations to counter the Turkish move? a correspondent asked. Mr. Moubarak said officials of many Arab States had already been very outspoken in their comments on the situation. One only had to read news reports to see how seriously the Turkish action was being taken in the Arab world. The Arab Group was keeping the Secretariat informed of the situation.
Responding to another question, Mr. Moubarak said the 1926 agreement which he had mentioned in his statement delineated the border between Turkey and Iraq. It was an historic treaty which Turkey had violated by its aggression.
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