PRESS STATEMENT ON KUWAITI PROPERTIES REPORT BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

PRESS STATEMENT ON KUWAITI PROPERTIES REPORT BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is today’s press statement on the Kuwaiti Properties Report by the President of the Security Council Mikhail Wehbe (Syrian Arab Republic):

Members of the Security Council reviewed the report of the Secretary-General, pursuant to paragraph 14 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999), regarding the return of Kuwaiti properties seized by Iraq, and were briefed by the high-level Coordinator, Yuli Vorontsov.

Members of the Council took note of the Government of Iraq’s acknowledgement that it does possess Kuwait’s national archives and is ready to return them through the United Nations mechanism, that would include the League of Arab States, as suggested by the Secretary-General in his report.

Members of the Council expressed their unanimous support for the work of the high-level Coordinator and stressed the importance of dialogue between Ambassador Vorontsov and the Government of Iraq.  Members of the Council also welcomed the recommendations contained in the Arab Summit communiqué in March 2002 in this regard.

Members of the Council agreed with the Secretary-General’s observations, including those stressing that the complete return of all Kuwaiti property will lead to this particular humanitarian issue being brought to closure.  They strongly urged the Government of Iraq to make further efforts regarding the whereabouts of all remaining Kuwaiti properties in its possession.

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