SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS IRAQ "OIL-FOR-FOOD" PROGRAMME FOR 180 DAYS, ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1281 (1999) UNANIMOUSLY

Press Release
SC/6769

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS IRAQ ‘OIL-FOR-FOOD’ PROGRAMME FOR 180 DAYS, ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1281 (1999) UNANIMOUSLY

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Security Council this afternoon decided to continue to permit the import of up to $5.26 billion in Iraqi oil and oil products for a new period of 180 days under the humanitarian assistance programme for Iraq known as "oil for food". The programme allows Iraq to sell oil to purchase humanitarian goods for the Iraqi people.

As it unanimously adopted resolution 1281 (1999), the Council decided that the extension of the programme would take effect at 00.01 hours, Eastern Standard Time, 12 December 1999.

Convinced of the need for equitable distribution of humanitarian supplies to all segments of the Iraqi population throughout the country, the Council requested the Secretary-General to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of resolution 1281 (1999) and to continue to enhance the United Nations observation process in Iraq to assure that the goods produced in accordance with today's resolution were distributed equitably and that all supplies authorized for procurement, including dual usage items and spare parts, were utilized as authorized.

The Council also requested the Secretary-General to report to it 90 days after the date of entry into force of the extension and again prior to the end of the 180- day period, on whether Iraq had ensured the equitable distribution of medicine, health supplies, foodstuffs and materials and supplies for essential civilian needs. The reports should include observations on the adequacy of the revenues to meet Iraq's humanitarian needs and on Iraq's capacity to export sufficient quantities of petroleum products to produce up to $5.256 billion. If Iraq could not export petroleum products to produce that sum, the Secretary-General was asked to recommend ways to spend sums available, consistent with priorities previously established.

The Council also requested the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Government of Iraq, to submit by 5 January 2000, a detailed list of parts and equipment necessary for Iraq to increase the export of enough petroleum and petroleum products to produce the allowed sum. Further, the Council requested the Sanctions Committee to report in 90 days and before the end of 180 days on the implementation of resolution 986 (1995), which established the oil for food programme.

The Council will conduct a thorough review of the implementation of today's resolution in 90 days and again prior to the end of the 180-day period, on receipt of the reports requested above. It expressed the intention, prior to the end of the 180-day period, to consider favourably the renewal of the programme, provided the reports indicated that the provisions of the resolution were satisfactorily implemented.

Determined to improve the humanitarian situation in Iraq, the Council expressed its determination to act without delay to address the recommendations of the panel established to review humanitarian and other issues in Iraq in a further comprehensive resolution. In March 1999, three panels established by the Council made recommendations on: disarmament and current and future ongoing monitoring and verification issues; humanitarian issues; and prisoners of war and Kuwaiti property.

The meeting, which began at 12:42 p.m., was adjourned at 12:44 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1281 (1999) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous relevant resolutions and in particular its resolutions 986 (1995) of 14 April 1995, 1111 (1997) of 4 June 1997, 1129 (1997) of 12 September 1997, 1143 (1997) of 4 December 1997, 1153 (1998) of 20 February 1998, 1175 (1998) of 19 June 1998, 1210 (1998) of 24 November 1998, 1242 (1999) of 21 May 1999, 1266 (1999) of 4 October 1999 and 1275 (1999) of 19 November 1999, and 1280 (1999) of 3 December 1999,

“Convinced of the need as a temporary measure to continue to provide for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people until the fulfilment by the Government of Iraq of the relevant resolutions, including notably resolution 687 (1991) of 3 April 1991, allows the Council to take further action with regard to the prohibitions referred to in resolution 661 (1990) of 6 August 1990, in accordance with the provisions of those resolutions,

“Convinced also of the need for equitable distribution of humanitarian supplies to all segments of the Iraqi population throughout the country,

“Determined to improve the humanitarian situation in Iraq,

“Reaffirming the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1. Decides that the provisions of resolution 986 (1995), except those contained in paragraphs 4, 11 and 12, shall remain in force for a new period of 180 days beginning at 00.01 hours, Eastern Standard Time, on 12 December 1999;

“2. Further decides that paragraph 2 of resolution 1153 (1998) shall remain in force and shall apply to the 180-day period referred to in paragraph 1 above;

“3. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the actions necessary to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of this resolution, and to continue to enhance as necessary the United Nations observation process in Iraq in such a way as to provide the required assurance to the Council that the goods produced in accordance with this resolution are distributed equitably and that all supplies authorized for procurement, including dual usage items and spare parts, are utilized for the purpose for which they have been authorized;

“4. Further decides to conduct a thorough review of all aspects of the implementation of this resolution 90 days after the entry into force of paragraph 1 above and again prior to the end of the 180-day period, on receipt of the reports referred to in paragraphs 5 and 10 below, and expresses its intention, prior to the end of the 180-day period, to consider favourably renewal of the provisions of this resolution as appropriate, provided that the said reports indicate that those provisions are being satisfactorily implemented;

“5. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council 90 days after the date of entry into force of paragraph 1 above and again prior to the end of the 180- day period, on the basis of observations of United Nations personnel in Iraq, and of consultations with the Government of Iraq, on whether Iraq has ensured the equitable distribution of medicine, health supplies, foodstuffs, and materials and supplies for essential civilian needs, financed in accordance with paragraph 8 (a) of resolution 986 (1995), including in his reports any observations which he may have on the adequacy of the revenues to meet Iraq's humanitarian needs, and on Iraq's capacity to export sufficient quantities of petroleum and petroleum products to produce the sum referred to in paragraph 2 of resolution 1153 (1998);

“6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council if Iraq is unable to export petroleum and petroleum products sufficient to produce the total sum provided for in paragraph 2 above and, following consultations with the relevant United Nations agencies and the Iraqi authorities, make recommendations for the expenditure of sums expected to be available, consistent with the priorities established in paragraph 2 of resolution 1153 (1998) and with the distribution plan referred to in paragraph 5 of resolution 1175 (1998);

“7. Decides that paragraph 3 of resolution 1210 (1998) shall apply to the new 180-day period referred to in paragraph 1 above;

“8. Decides that paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of resolution 1175 (1998) shall remain in force and shall apply to the new 180-day period referred to in paragraph 1 above;

“9. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Government of Iraq, to submit to the Council no later than 15 January 2000 a detailed list of parts and equipment necessary for the purpose described in paragraph 1 of resolution 1175 (1998);

“10. Requests the Committee established by resolution 661 (1990), in close coordination with the Secretary-General, to report to the Council 90 days after the entry into force of paragraph 1 above and again prior to the end of the 180-day period on the implementation of the arrangements in paragraphs 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10 of resolution 986 (1995);

“11. Urges all States, and in particular the Government of Iraq, to provide their full cooperation in the effective implementation of this resolution; “12. Appeals to all States to continue to cooperate in the timely submission of applications and the expeditious issue of export licences, facilitating the transit of humanitarian supplies authorized by the Committee established by resolution 661 (1990), and to take all other appropriate measures within their competence in order to ensure that urgently needed humanitarian supplies reach the Iraqi people as rapidly as possible;

“13. Stresses the need to continue to ensure respect for the security and safety of all persons directly involved in the implementation of this resolution in Iraq;

“14. Decides to keep these arrangements under review including in particular those in paragraph 2 above, to ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian supplies into Iraq, and expresses its determination to act without delay to address the recommendations of the report of the panel established to review humanitarian and other issues in Iraq (S/1999/356) in a further, comprehensive resolution;

“15. Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

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