Security Council

6279^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council Presidential Statement Welcomes Steps Taken by Iraq to Support

International Non-Proliferation Regime, Comply with Disarmament Treaties

Also Underlines Readiness, Once Necessary Steps Taken,

‘To Review, with a view towards lifting’, Sanctions Imposed in 1991

Welcoming the steps taken by the Iraqi Government to support the international non-proliferation regime and adhere to global disarmament standards, the United Nations Security Council today underlined its readiness to consider lifting the trade sanctions it imposed on Iraq following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, including on materials that were capable of being used for chemical and biological weapons or ballistic missiles.

In a statement read by Gérard Araud of France, which holds the Council’s presidency for the month, the 15-nation body welcomed a recent letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq which confirmed that the Iraqi Government supported the international non-proliferation regime and complied with disarmament treaties and other relevant international instruments, and that it was also committed to taking additional steps in that regard and to inform the Council, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other relevant agencies on progress made towards implementing those measures.

The Security Council welcomed Iraq’s accession last year to the Convention on the Prohibition, Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and their Destruction.  It also welcomed Iraq’s intention to sign the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation.

Welcoming the Iraqi Government’s signature in 2008 of the Additional Protocol to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with IAEA, Council members noted that that Protocol was now before Iraq’s parliament for ratification, as was the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.  They also further welcomed that, consistent with Iraqi law, the Iraqi Government had agreed to apply the Protocol provisionally, pending its entry into force.

Calling on the United nations nuclear watchdog agency to assess Iraq’s compliance with treaties barring development of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, the Council underlined its readiness, “once the necessary steps have been taken, to review, with a view towards lifting” the restrictions set out in its resolutions 678 (1991) and 707 (1991) related to weapons of mass destruction and civil nuclear activities.

The meeting began at 10:18 a.m. and ended at 10:23 a.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2010/5 reads as follows:

“The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, and emphasizes the importance of the stability and security of Iraq for its people, the region and the international community.

“The Security Council welcomes the letter sent by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq on 18 January 2010 which confirms that the Government of Iraq supports the international non-proliferation regime and complies with disarmament treaties and other relevant international instruments, and is committed to taking additional steps to comply with non-proliferation and disarmament standards, and has also committed to inform the Security Council, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other relevant agencies on progress made towards implementing those measures in accordance with the Government of Iraq’s constitutional and legislative procedures and in compliance with international norms and obligations.

“The Security Council welcomes Iraq's accession to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, becoming the 186^th State party on 12 February 2009.

“The Security Council also welcomes the intention of the Government of Iraq to sign the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation.

“The Security Council also welcomes that Iraq signed in 2008 the Additional Protocol to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with IAEA and that the Additional Protocol is currently before Parliament for ratification, as is the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.  The Security Council further welcomes that, consistent with Iraqi law, Iraq has agreed to apply the Additional Protocol provisionally, pending its entry into force.

“The Security Council underlines, in particular, the importance of Iraq ratifying the Additional Protocol.  The Security Council also requests that IAEA inform the Council as soon as possible regarding the quality of Iraq’s safeguards-related cooperation with IAEA, including provisional implementation of the Additional Protocol pending entry into force.

“The Security Council underlines its readiness, once the necessary steps have been taken, to review, with a view towards lifting, the restrictions in resolutions 687 (1991) and 707 (1991) related to weapons of mass destruction and civil nuclear activities.”

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For information media • not an official record