SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON IRAQ-KUWAIT

 

The following Security Council press statement on Iraq-Kuwait was read out today by Council President Alejandro D. Wolff ( United States):

Members of the Security Council received a briefing from Ambassador Gennady Tarasov, the Secretary-General’s High-Level Coordinator, on the twenty-sixth report of the Secretary-General, in accordance with paragraph 14 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999).

Council Members paid tribute to the late Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov and congratulated Ambassador Tarasov of the Russian Federation on his appointment.  Members of the Council expressed their support for his work and efforts aimed at facilitating the resolution of these issues.

Members of the Council noted that the total number of positive identifications of human remains by the Kuwaiti authorities had increased since the last report and were encouraged and hopeful about the possibility of further progress in the repatriation of remains.  Council members again expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to all of the families of those involved.

Members of the Council noted with regret that there had been no further progress on the fate of the Kuwaiti national archive.  The Security Council joined the Secretary-General’s call on Governments and individuals who may know what has happened to these documents, or possess information on their whereabouts, to help clarify the fate of the archives.

Members of the Council reaffirmed their support for the valuable work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Subcommittee, and joined the call for renewed efforts of all parties with a view to achieving results as soon as possible.

Council Members were also pleased to note the Secretary-General’s observation that the Government of Iraq had shown sensitivity and understanding, as well as its sincere intention to assist in resolving the outstanding cases.  Members of the Council expressed their confidence that all parties, in particular Iraq and Kuwait, could work towards constructive arrangements to enable a satisfactory solution to all of the outstanding aspects covered by this mandate.

Council Members welcomed the news that the Government of Iraq has now formally invited Ambassador Tarasov to Iraq to pursue the dialogue on the outstanding issues, early progress on which would help cement the existing friendly relations between Iraq and Kuwait.

Council Members undertook to continue to monitor progress and to keep Ambassador Tarasov’s mandate under review.  In this regard, Council members looked forward to a comprehensive report by the Secretary-General, 12 months after Ambassador Tarasov’s appointment, on any further progress, as well as an assessment of the progress that might be achieved, including the conditions that would be necessary and a timescale for completion of the High-Level Coordinator’s mandate.

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For information media • not an official record