PRESS STATEMENT ON IRAQ-KUWAIT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today’s press statement by Security Council President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser ( Qatar):

On 13 December, members of the Security Council received a briefing from Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov, the Secretary-General’s High-Level Coordinator, on the twenty-third 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 and are finally resting in peace.  Members of the Council noted the recent positive identification of further human remains and the repatriation from Kuwait to Iraq of others.  They 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 and noted the Tripartite Commission’s decision on ways and methods to reinvigorate and accelerate field operations in Iraq.  Council members welcomed the collective efforts of Kuwait, Iraq and other members of the Tripartite Commission.

Members of the Council noted the positive resolution and closure of all issues relating to the transfer of Kuwaiti spare parts onboard Iraqi Airways planes in Tunisia.  Council members look forward to the final closure of all the matters related to Kuwaiti spare parts.

Council members noted with regret that there have been no further developments relating to the location 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