S/PV.2383 Security Council

As was agreed in the course of the Security Council’s consultations held earlier today, the Council is meeting in connection with the situation between Iran and Iraq. 3. Members of the Council have before them document S/15285, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of consultations. I should like to draw the attention of members of the Council to the following other documents: S/l5219 and S/15266, which contain the text of two letters, dated 11 and 30 June respectively, from the representative of Belgium addressed to the President of the Council; S/15270, which contains the text of a letter dated 1 July, from the representative of Iran addressed to the President of the Council: and 5115279, which 8. That prospect has been a constant concern of the French Government, which has always stated its willingness to contribute to any effort designed to bring about a peaceful outcome. 9. In fact, at the meetings of the Council of Europe in Brussels on 28 and 29 June last, France and its nine partners in the European Community recalled the concerns of which I have just spoken [S/15266, NYIIZCXI. I I. France would like to welcome the efforts at negotiation that have boen initiated by the Organization of the Islamic Conference and by the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. In particular, we express the hope that the Council and the Secretary-General will play a role in co-ordinating these efforts and will contribute to making them more fruitful. 12. The draft resolution before us [S//.5285] is one that the Council must consider as part and parcel of its main responsibility. which is the maintenance of international peace and security. 13. It explicitly lays down the political foundations for a settlement. and everyone should be aware that this is essential for stability in the region and international equilibrium. It gives concrete expression to the idea of co-ordinating ongoing mediation efforts by entrusting this task to the Secretary-General, This initiative can create the necessary dynamic movement towards peace. which is today more necessary than ever. It clearly stales the responsibility of each party, 14. For those various reasons France will vote in favour of the draft resolution.

Since this is the first time the United States has spoken during the month of July. I should like to express the recognition and gratitude of the United States for the work of the representative of France during his term as President of the Council during the month of June. 16. I should also like to make special note of the contribution now being made by you, Sir, and the delegation of Guyana, as President of the Council fol this difficult month of July. We count on your skill, your experience and your wisdom to guide our deliberations. 17. Since the beginning of this unhappy conflict with which the Council is now dealing, the United States has held the position that a solution must be found which preserves the independence and territorial integrity of both Iraq and Iran. We have therefore been prepared to support any constructive and equitable action by the Council which works towards that end.

The Council will nON proceed to vote on the draft resolution in document Sl I 5285.

I shall now call upon those representatives who have asked to be allowed to make statements after the voting.

Mr. Presi. dent, allow me to join those others who have already expressed to you their felicitations on your assumption of your office. My country and your country do occasionally nowadays do battle on the cricket field, but manage, I think, most effectively and closely to co-operate over everything else. I assure you that our co-operation in the very difficult problems which face you this month will not be lacking. 22. I wish also to extend to the representative of France our appreciation for the distinction with which he conducted the presidency last month. :He did this with such vigour and dynamism that. the Permanent Representative of my delegation, who finally left his assignment on his retirement on 2 July, was kept fully stretched to the very end of his term, 23. My delegation voted in favour of the resolution just adopted. We did this because we share the concern that the Council should take action in the grave and threatening situation which now exists between Iraq and Iran. That conflict has already lasted too long. has cost too many lives and has caused too much material damage. We earnestly entreat all those concerned to implement the resolutionjust adopted, as well as resolution 479 (1980), in order to bring the conflict to an end and bring about a return to th’e paths of peaceful negotiation. 24. At the same time, my delegation, while supporting the resolution, does have some doubts about its likely efficacy at the present time. We b#elieve that an important prerequisite for effective peace-making by the Council is that its proposals shoulcl have the support of all the parties to a dispute. There: is reason 29. In View of those considerations, the Chinese delegation voted in favour of resolution 479 (1980). Based on the same considerations, the Chinese de]- egation has now voted in favour of resolution 514 (1982). We hope that the adoption of that resolution will contribute to the just and reasonable resolutjon of the conflict between the two countries through peaceful means. 25. i-hwever, it would be wrong to despair. As is recognized in the resolution that we have adopted, the Secretary-General and his Special Representative have already been playing an important part in efforts to settle the dispute. My delegation is sure that they Will continue to do so, and we hope that they will be able to obtain the co-operation of both parties so that progress can be made, taking into account the positions of both parties and, of course, the requirements of the Charter of the United Nations. We hope in particular that the Secretary-General will consider urgently the possibility of sending a representative to Teheran and to Baghdad so that he can report to the Council very soon as to what further action it might take.

First, Sir, I should like to welcome you to the post of President of the Council for this month and to wish you success in discharging the complex and responsible duties which YOU have thus assumed. At the same time, 1 should like to express my satisfaction that this post is occupied by a representative of a friendly and non-aligned country. 3 I. I should also like to express my delegation’s gratitude to the representative of France, Mr. Luc de La Barre de Nanteuil, for the skilful and energetic way in which he guided the work of the Council in June. 26. Mr. LING Qing (China) (interpwtntion from Chirrc~.sc~: First of all, allow me in the name of the Chinese delegation to extend our warmest congratulations to you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency for this month. I am deeply convinced that your wisdom. diplomatic experience and competence will provide positive guidance to the Council to enable it to exercise its responsibilities effectively. At the same time, I should like to express my gratitude to your predecessor, the representative of France, for the efforts he made and the competence and patience he showed while presiding over the proceedings of the Council in the extraordinary month of June. 32. Today’s meeting of the Security Council reflects the deep alarm and concern felt by the overwhelming majority of States Members of the Organization in the light of the ongoing armed conflict between Iran and Iraq. That alarm and concern are fully shared by the Soviet Union, which cannot fail to be interested in the removal of the sources of considerable tension in areas in the immediate vicinity of its own borders as well as in all other parts of the world. 33. It is for this reason that since the armed conflict broke out between Iran and Iraq, two developing countries which maintain friendly relations with our own and share a great many of our historical and cultural values, the Soviet Union has taken a clear-cut 27. The war between Iraq and Iran has lasted for almost two years. This protracted war has not only cost many lives, incurred serious financial losses and brought untold sufferings to the two peoples; it is also directly threatening the peace and security of the Gulf area and the Middle East region. The Chinese Government has also noted that, in order to end this war between two brotherly Muslim countries, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the non-aligned countries, particularly the Islamic countries, have undertaken mediation efforts on many occasions to seek a comprehensive and just settlement of the conflict through peaceful means. Both Iraq and Iran belong to the third world. We have consistently held that no fundamental conflict of interest exists between third-world countries. Conflicts between them should and can be peacefully settled through consultation or negotiations. position in favour of putting an end as soon as possible to the military action and resolving the conflict by means of negotiations. 34. As the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, Leonid Brezhnev, has frequently stated: “The Soviet Union decisively favours a peaceful settlement of this conflict and would condemn any attempt to prolong it or to pour oil on the flames of war.” This fundamental position, this sincere desire to promote efforts to put an end to this tragic war, has motivated every act of the Soviet Union in connection with the Iran-Iraq conflict. 28. It is our sincere hope that Iran and Iraq will bear in mind the maintenance of peace in the Middle East region and exercise restraint SO as to seek an 35. Our country has supported the mediating missjon of the Special Representative of the SecreFry- 36. The Soviet Union speaks out decisively against rhc attempts of the imperialist farces to warm their hands at the Iran-Iraq conflagration. to use it to increase their own military infiltration in the Near and Middle East and to C~LISC further destabilization in that part of the world. These facts arc all widely known. 37. The senseless and tragic conflict between Iran and Iraq. which has been going on now for 22 months, has led to tremendous losses and destruction. Thousands of lives have been consumed by the flames of war, and there has been costly material damage, The attention of the leaders and peoples of those countries has been diverted from the solution of the most vital problems of economic and social development. the need to combat the ongoing aggression of Israel and the plans being hatched in imperialist circles to establish their own domination in that part of the world. It is our conviction that an end to this conflict would serve the deep-rooted and long-term interests of both the Iranian and the Iraqi peoples. 38. The delegation of the Soviet Union today voted in favour of resolution 5 14 ( 1982) since we believe that this hody. which in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations hears the principal responsibility fat maintaining international peace and security. could play an important part in promoting a settlement of the Iranian-Iraqi conflict. Naturally, the specific aspects of such a settlement can and should be agreed upon in the course of negotiations between those immediately involved in the conflict. on the basis ofthe fundamental principles of the Charter and the generally recognizrd norms of international law. and taking due account of the legitimate interests of both parties.

The next speaker is the Minister For Foreign Affairs of Iraq. Mr, Sadoon Hammndi. I welcome him and invite him to make his statement,

Mr. President, I should like to extend to you and to the other mem.. hers of the Council my profound gratitude for the opportunity to speak on this occasion. 41. The Council has acted in full conformity with its competence under the Charter of the United Nations. The decision just adopted is a timely one. It will have a constructive impact on generating a new momentum for peace. It will also reflect positively on the image of the Council as the main organ under the Charter responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, We have no doubt that the full implications of the decision of the Council will be understood by Member States and world public opinion as an important step forward on the path to wards peace. 43. Despite Iranian allegations to the contrary. Iraq welcomed the establishment of the new regime in hart. We have tried to establish normal relations with the lranian rdgime. Notwithstanding numerous acts of Iranian hostility, which culminated in the imposition of an armed conflict. we have continued ‘to pursue peace in the form of a just and honourable settlement. 44. I should like to recall that we offered Iran peace on 28 September 1980 [.SIJO S//420.3] and declared that what we seek is to regain our legitimate nationul rights in our lands and waters. We have also declared our full readiness to withdraw from Iranian territories and to establish normal relations with Iran on the basis of respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. Iran has rejected those efforts. 45. We accepted Security Council resolution 479 ( 1980), adopted unanimously on 28 September 1980. We also welcomed and accepted the mission of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General itnd co-operated with him fully. The resolution, as members know, was rejected by Iran. 46. We unilaterally declared a cease-fire frc:,m 5 to 8 October 1980 in response to a request from the President of Pakistan, who was undertaking a good offices mission in his capacity as Chairman at the time of the Organization of the Islamic Conference ].!3//420S, prrrrr. 41. Iran rejected that offer. 47. We welcomed the efforts of President Ficlel Castro of Cuba, in his capacity as Chairman of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. and actively sought an early settlement, Those efforts also Bert’ frustrated by Iran, 48. Unlike Iran, we participated in the Third I~lamid Summit Conference of the Organization of the Istarnic Conference, held in Saudi Arabia in January 1981. accepted its decision and worked actively with the Islamic Mission to achieve an honourable settlement. Iran has obstructed those efforts. 49. At the Conference of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Non-Aligned Countries held at New Delhi in February 1981, Iraq promptly accepted the letter and spirit of the decision of the Conference on the modalities for settling the conflict. Howe,ver. the representative of Iran intervened to reject the substance of the decision, which had been worked ULI~ through intensive consultations. It wx accepted by Iraq in a letter dated 22 April 1981. 53. In addition to all these initiatives for peace. countless bilateral endeavours with other countries were pursued. 51. On 9 June Inst. the Islamic Peace Committee, in view of the Zionist aggression against Lebanon, called upon 11s and Iran to cease fighting immediately and to fact the Zionist enemy. On IO June, the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council issued a statement containing the following points. First, it expressed Iraq’s immediate readiness to cease fire and to put an end to all hostilities as soon as Iran accepts to do the same. Secondly, it expressed Iraq’s immediate readiness to withdraw within two weeks to the international frontiers all of its military forces from all Iranian territories and cities occupied in defence of Iraqi territory and towns. Thirdly, it said that. in case ;I direct agreement with Iran on the issues pertaining to the conflict is not possible through the organizations mediating between the two countries, Iraq is ready to accept an arbitration decision to be rendered by an extraordinary session of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. and. should Iran refuse such arbitration. Iraq will accept any arbitration decision of the Non-Aligned Movement or of the Security Council [SVO S//S IY6, ~//mo.\‘]. 54. Unfortunately. Iran’s attitude towards these efforts for peace has been negative, It still is. 55. We shall never lose our faith in the principles of the Charter and the role of the United Nations in the peaceful settlement of disputes. We sincerely hope that the Iranians will soon respond favourably to the call of reason and put an end to their policies of prolonging the war. We should all strive for the faithful implementation of the resolution adopted by the Council today. All of us should work closely together and co-ordinate our actions through the United Nations to outline the framework for negotiations to achieve the much-desired comprehensive. just and honourable settlement of the outstanding issues of the conflict. It is only in this way that a fair and lasting settlement can be achieved. in the interest of the peace and security of our region. 52. On 20 June. President Saddam Hussein announced a further decision of the Revolutionary Command Council which. despite the negative reaction of the Iranian rCgime to the foregoing statement, went further and called for the commencement and the completion of the withdrawal of Iraqi forces to NWIS 1 Joint Iranian-Iraqi Communique of 6 March 1975. United Nations. Twrl/y S~~ric~,~. vol. 1017. NO. 14903. px 196. : See A/37/323. HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS United Nations publications ma! be obtained from bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Consult your bookstore or write to: United Nations. Sales Section, New York or Geneva. COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS DES NATIONS UNIES Les publications des Nations Unies sent en vente dans les librairies et Ies agences depositaires du monde entier. Informez-vous aupris de votl’e libraire ou adressez-vous I : Nations Unies. Section des ventrs. New York ou Geneve. COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de las Naciones Unidas e&n en venta en librerias y casas distribuidoras en todas partes del mundo. Consulte a su librero o dirijase a: Naciones Unidas. Seccibn de Ventas. Nueva York o Ginebra. Litho in United Nations, New York 00300 88-60989-October I9XY--3.WJ