PRESS STATEMENT ON IRAQ-KUWAIT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON IRAQ-KUWAIT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The following statement on Iraq-Kuwait was circulated to the press by Security Council President Emyr Jones Parry ( United Kingdom):

On 14 December, members of the Security Council received a briefing from Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov, the Secretary-General’s High-Level Coordinator, on the twenty-first 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 of 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 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 continuing constructive engagement of the Government of Iraq, and its improved and diversified cooperation.  Council members were confident that all parties could work towards a satisfactory solution to all of the outstanding humanitarian aspects covered by Ambassador Vorontsov’s mandate.

Members of the Council welcomed the signing of a protocol by representatives of the Governments of Iraq and Kuwait regarding the return of Kuwaiti aircraft spare parts located in Tunisia.  Council members were grateful to Tunisia for facilitating the mission of Iraq and Kuwait experts, and expressed their hope that these items would be returned expeditiously to Kuwait to close this particular chapter.

Council members noted with regret that there had been no progress towards uncovering the fate of the missing Kuwaiti national archive.

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).

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For information media • not an official record