Ban Ki-moon Calls for Iraq to Fulfil Pledges to Kuwait

After a briefing by Mr. Tarasov, the Council welcomed continuing cooperation between Iraq and Kuwait, and their high-level commitments to full implementation of all Iraqi obligations to Kuwait under the relevant resolutions, in addition to the commitments given by the Iraqi Government to improve relations with Kuwait.

“Nevertheless, the members of the Security Council stressed the need to fulfil these commitments, specifically finding Kuwaiti or third-country nationals, property and archives,” said a press statement read by Nelson Messone, the Ambassador of Gabon, which holds the Council’s presidency for June.

“The members of the Security Council once again expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of those involved,” the statement added.

The Council welcomed the active participation by Iraq and Kuwait in the efforts undertaken under the framework of the Technical Subcommittee to develop an effective functional mechanism for the search of missing persons, including the sub-committee’s exploratory mission to Nassiriyah, and the ongoing mission to Khamisiyah in southern Iraq.

It noted that limited progress had been made on clarifying the fate of the Kuwaiti national archives, and welcomed the commitment by the Prime Minister of Iraq to establish an inter-ministerial committee to lead and coordinate efforts with regard to the archives and other properties. Members of the Council urged Iraq to establish, without further delay, an effective national body for the task and to report the results to the UN.

The Council urged Iraq and Kuwait to continue to act in the spirit of the confidence and cooperation-building process, saying that would contribute to the further strengthening of their good-neighbourly relations and enhance regional stability.

It supported the Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the financing of the activities of the High-Level Coordinator for a further period of six months.

(Source: United Nations)