PRESS STATEMENT ON IRAQ-KUWAIT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON IRAQ-KUWAIT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The following press statement on Iraq-Kuwait was delivered today by Security Council President Kenzo Oshima (Japan):

On 25 August, members of the Security Council received a briefing from Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov, the Secretary-General’s High-Level Coordinator, on the twentieth report of the Secretary-General, in accordance with paragraph 14 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999).  Council members expressed their full support for Ambassador Vorontsov’s work and for his continued efforts in pursuit of his mandate.

Council members shared the views expressed by the Secretary-General in his report and strongly condemned the execution of Kuwaiti and third-country nationals by the previous Iraqi regime, in violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.  Security Council members agreed that those responsible for these horrendous crimes should be brought to justice.

Council members again expressed their deepest condolences to all the families of those missing persons that had now been identified.  Members of the Council also expressed their continuing concern for the plight of the families of those missing persons whose whereabouts were still unknown.

Members of the Council again stressed the importance of the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Subcommittee.  Council members welcomed the constructive engagement of the Government of Iraq, and were confident that all parties could work towards a satisfactory solution to all of the outstanding humanitarian aspects covered by Ambassador Vorontsov’s mandate.

Council members agreed to keep Ambassador Vorontsov’s mandate under review and recalled that Iraq continues to have international obligations, as set out in paragraph 14 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999).  Council members supported Iraqi Government efforts to address the issues raised in the report.  Members of the Council urged members of the international community to consult with the Iraqi Government on ways to further those efforts.

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For information media • not an official record