S/PV.2178 Security Council

Members of the Council have before them document S/13677, containing the text of a draft resolution which has been prepared in the course of consultations among members of the Council. I should also like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to the following documents: S/13673, which contains the text of a letter dated 3 December from the Permanent Representative of the Ivory Coast addressed to the President of the Council; and S/13675, which contains the text of a letter &ted 3 December from the Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia addressed to the President of the Council. Tie agenda was adopted. Provlslonal agenda (S/Agenda/2178) 1. Adoption of the agenda 2. Letter dated 25 November 1979 from the Secretary- General addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/13646) The meeting was called to ordm at 4.45 p.m Adoption of the agenda

Very briefly, I should like to bring to the attention of the Council the statement which was issued on 22 November by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, over which Portugal currently presides: 1. The PRESIDENT (interpretation from Chinese): In accordance with decisions taken at previous meetings [2172ndand2175th to 2177th meetings], I invite the representatives of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Panama, Spain, Sri Lanka; Swaziland, Yugoslavia and Zaire to take the places reserved for them at the side of the Council chamber. Letter dated 25 November 1979 from the Secretary- General addressed to the President of the Security comcil w3646) At the tnvitation of the president, Mr. Anderson (Australia), Mr. Batter (Austruz), Mr. Elliott (Belgium), Mr. Barton (Can- &), Mr. AbaW Meg& (Ejgypt) Mr. von Wechmar (Federal ReHlic of Germany), Mr. La Rocca (ItaIy), Mr. Nisibori (3tpan). Mr. l&nan @be&)), Mr. Muwamba (Malawi), Mr. Ramphul (Mauritius), Mr. Scheltema (Netherhmds), Mr. IEueca (%mma.), Mr. de Pinikr (Spain), Mr. F-do (Sri Lunka), Mr. Malinga (SwazUandI, Mr. Komatbta (Yugoslavia) und Mr. Kantat& wa Kamanda @a&e) took the * p&es reserved for them at the side of the Council chamber

I should like to inform the members of the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Greece in which he asks to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the agenda. In accordance with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance withthe relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Katapodi (Greece) took the place resewed for him at the side of the Council chamber. “The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe expresses its deep concern at the hostage-taking at the United States Embassy in Teheran, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the most elementary rules of international law, and in particular of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, to which Iran is a party. The Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the 21 member States of the Council of Europe, an organization firmly committed to the defence of human rights and the rule of law, make an urgent appeal to the Iranian authorities to release the hostages and put an end to a situation which dangerously impairs international relatiOnS.”

The next speaker is the representative of Greece. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make a statement.

Mr. President, I should like first of all to thank you and, through you, the other members of the Council, for giving me the opportunity to express the views of my delegation on the item under consideration. 7. The Security Council is seized of a question of utmost importance and of far-reaching implications on future rela- A vote was taken by show of hank l%e &@I resobtion was adopted unanimous~.l

I now call on the Secretary-General. 8. My delegation wholeheartedly supports both these views. We believe that the protection of persons serving in a. diplomatic capacity in any given country is of primordial importance for keeping open the channels of communication between States, and therefore is a fundamental prerequisite for safeguarding international peace. This practice dates from the first periods ofknown civilization. It was one of the basic principles governing relations among the cities of classical Greece. It was adhered to uninterruptedly during succeeding historical eras. It has been embodied in a long series of treaties, conventions and agreements, both bilateral and multilateral, the last of which is the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, to which Iran isaparty.

Mr. President, I should like first of all to express my appreciation to you and all the other members of the Security Council for the positive and understanding response to-my letter of 25 November requesting an urgent meeting ofthe Council to consider the very serious crisis in the relations between Iran and the United States. 15. The extensive consultations which the Council has held since that time, as well as its public meetings, have been conducted in a most responsible and constructive spirit and without polemics. That not only testifies to the seriousness of the crisis but also-does great credit to the Security Council as the world institution with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. 9. There has been in the past, especially in the post-war years, a great number of casts. where pcrsons enjoying diplomatic immunity were taken hostage, deprived of their freedom, ill-treated and even killed. Running such risks has become an occupational hazard for diplomats all over the world. But at least they were assur.ed that the authorities of the host country would do their utmost to ensure their safety and to provide them with the necessary peace of mind for carrying out their duties. The sanctity of the diplomatic envoy-not because his life and safety are of greater value than that of his fellow human bein@ but because the protection of his person is an essential prerequisite for the conduct of international life-resides in a long tradition. It would be both sad and dangerous if this tradition were to be broken. The consequences might be incalculable for peace in the world, as the Secretary-General has pointed out in his letter in which he asked for the urgent convening of the Security Council. 16. In the past weeks we have all recognixed that we have been dealing with a situation which is as unusual~as it is dangerous. We have al1 recognixed that the release of the hostages is of primary and urgent importance. We have also recognized that there are many other aspects of this problem which need to be seriously considered. The resolution which the Council has just adopted unanimously reflects the concern of the Council for the immediate. demands of the situation as well as for the points of view of the parties concerned. I earnestly hope that this unanimous decision of the Council will provide the basis on which we may proceed towards the peaceful solution which is unquestionably in the interests of all concerned. . . 17. The resolution requests the Secretary-General to lend his good of&s for its immediate implementation and to take all appropriate measures to thisend. I need hardly say that I take this broad mandate with the utmost seriousness and that I shall devote all my dforts to carrying it. out as expeditiously and effectively as possible. 10. Therefore, we feel that we should join the delegations which have already spoken and, for that matter, practically all the members of the international community, in appealing to the Government of Iran to free the hostages without further ado and without pm-conditions. My Government has already conveyed this view to the appropriate authorities at Teheran. In so doing, we are acting on two premises: first of all, because we believe that respect for international law and, in this particular case, for the Vienna Convention is an absolute necessity if we want to preserve international order, and, secondly, on humanitarian grounds as well. 18. As members of the Council are aware, I have tried to maintain contact with all concerned during this period of crisis, and I shall continue to do so. I am sure that I may also feel free to call upon Member States for their assistance and advice when this, may seem to be likely to help in achieving the objective which we all seek. 11. We are confident that the authorities in Iran will heed 19. I shall explore intensively the various modalities which this appeal of world public opinion and choose the path of might prove useful in resolving the present crisis. I am aware negotiation for settling whatever differences they have with that there are few, if any, precedents for the present situathe United States. For his part, the United States representation and that innovation may well be necessary. At the tive has clearly indicated in his opening statement in this present time I wish .only to say that, in carrying out rzly debate [2175th meeting] the willingness of his Government mandate, I shall be guided first and foremost by what is best to reciprocate such a desire. ‘See resolution 457 (1979). 24. With the hostages released, the resolution calls on the Governments of Iran and the United States to take urgent measures to resolve peacefully the remaining issues between them in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The United States is fully prepared to -perate with this call. 25. Many speakers in this debate have also referred to the grievances of the people of Iran. I myself did so when I remarked that: 21. Mr. McHENRY (United States of America): The 15 members of the Security Council in their action today have given unanimous expression once more to their urgent call on the Government of Iran for the immediate and unconditional release of the American Embassy personnel being held hostage in our embassy at Teheran. They have called on the Government of Iran to provide the hostages protection and to allow them to leave the country. It is clear from this vote and from the debate of the last four days, in which representatives from all parts of the world have participated, that the family of nations speaks with one voice in calling for the immediate release of the hostages, and we are deeply appreciative. “‘None of us is deaf to the passionate voices that speak of injustice, that cry out against past wrongs and that ask for understanding. There is not a single grievance in this situation, alleged or spoken, that could not be heard in an appropriate forum.” [2Z75th meetjngt para. I7’J. The Security Council has now also noted those grievances in its acknowledgement of the Iranian letter of 13 November [,S/Z3626j. 26. Neither the United States nor any other member of the community of nations has a desire to isolate Iran or to intervene in its internal affairs. We are all Members of the United Nations and of the community of nations. Let us then, all of us, be true to the purposes and principles which we have pledged ourselves to honour. 22. We hope that this call by the Security Council will be heeded and carried out by the Government of Iran in a matter of hours. Whatever the time required, we urge the Secretary~eneral, in the exercise of his good offices, to provide all humanitarian support possible to those being detained against their will. We remain deeply concerned for their safety, their well-being and their health on this, their thirtieth day of suffering and isolation.

The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. 23. The United States wishes to place on record that the adoption of this resolution by the S&urity Council clearly is The meeting rose at 4.35 p.m HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS Unite1 Nations publications may be obtained from bookstores and distributora throughout the world. Consult your bookstore or write to: United Nations, Sale$ Section, New York or Geneva. COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS DES NATIONS UNIBS IM publications des Nations Unies sent en vente dans les librairies et les agences d@ositaires du mondo entier. Informez-vous auprAs de votre libraire ou adresses-vous A : Nations Unies. Section des ventes, New York ou GenAve. KAIC IfOJfYPHTb HBAAHHX OPrAHH3AIUiM OIiTbELWHEHHhIX HAU¶H EIJAaHHR ODraxmaqnn 06'be~HHeHHblX Hawiti YOXXO KyllHTb B KHHXCRblX MarasHbax P areHTcT8ax a0 acex pattoxax uspa. WasoAHTe cnpaaxx 06 n3AaxHax a Barney ~mixuio~ mara3nne nn~ mimnre no anpecy: OpraWitaq~n O@beAUHeHRbIX ~a~~R.CeKqHnnonpona~e~3~a~~R.Hb~-HOpXn~~~e~esa. COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de las Naciones Unidas es&In en venta en librerfas y casas distribuidoras en todas pa&s de1 mundo. Consulte a su librero o dirfjase a: Naciones Unidas, Seccidn de Ventas. Nueva York o Ginebra. L&ho ih United Nations, New York Price: su.s. 1.50 79-7OlM2-March 19824250