PRESS STATEMENT ON IRAQ/KUWAIT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON IRAQ/KUWAIT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the statement to the press on Iraq/Kuwait delivered today by Security Council President Fayssal Mekdad (Syria):

Members of the Security Council heard a briefing from Yuli Vorontsov, the High-Level Coordinator, on the thirteenth report of the Secretary-General in accordance with paragraph 14 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999).

They expressed their support for Mr. Vorontsov and for his continuing efforts on this issue.

Members of the Council strongly condemned the grave violation of human rights and the killing of Kuwaiti and other third-country nationals by the former regime of Iraq, also in disregard of the provisions of international humanitarian law.

They expressed their deep condolences to the families of those missing persons whose remains have now been identified.  Members of the Council expressed their continuing concerns for the plight of the families of those missing persons whose whereabouts are still unknown.

Members of the Council stressed the importance of the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Sub-Committee and called on all parties concerned to continue to work together to put an end to the outstanding issues.

They took note of the Secretary-General’s recommendation that his next report, due in December, should be the last one and expressed the hope that all outstanding issues could be resolved by that date.

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