S/PV.2569 Security Council

(inrerprerurionfiom French): On a more personal note. I wish to say this: we are newcomers here. We are pilgrims who will be here for a time, invited to share a coilective responsibility. Without the concept of collective responsibility. our participation in the Council would not have its I’ull signilicance. We have been able to take our first steps thanks to everyone’s co-operation, understanding and even indulgence. We express our sincere appreciation to all the members of the Council. in particuiar to the rrpresmmivc oi irdia. a ;uiig-&iidiiip friend. and to the representative 01’ France-the two past Presidents of’ the Council-and to our distinguished Secrelar>-Gcncral. Adoption of the agenda 7he agenda w.0.r u&pled. TIM situation ktween IrM and Irlqt Letter dated 24 Febupy 1985 lmm the Pemument Repreaeatnlive of Iraq to the United Natiom addressed to the I’mibnt ol the Security Council (S/169%0)

(inrerpretution from French): I should like to inform members of the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Saudi Arabia, Iraq. Jordan and Yemen in which they ask to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council. to invite those representatives to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Aziz (Iraq) took a place at the Council table; Mr. Shihabi (Soudi Arabia), Mr. Salah (Jordan) and Mr. Al-Eryony (Yemen) took the places reserved for them at the side of the Council chamber.

(interpretation from French): I wish to inform members of the Council that I have received a letter dated 28 February 1985 from the representative of Qatar [S/f6994 It reads as follows: “1 have the honour, in my capacity as Chairman of the Group of Arab States, to request that the Security Council extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to Mr. Chedli Klibi. Secretary- General of the League of Arab States, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled ‘The situation between Iran and Iraq’.” If I hear no objection. I shall take it that the Council decides to extend an invitation to Mr. Klibi under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure. It was so decided

(inrerpreta/ion from French): The Council is meeting today in response to a request addressed to the President of the Council by the represen- .-.A... -c v-r.. :- ^ l,..- ,&..-A ,A CAu.,,m.u ,OPZlc,,XOlln, W1I.C “1 aruy 08 .I . ..I b. ““..%A-- 1 C”.““., *.v- ,“’ .“a”..,. 6. Members of the Council also have before them the report of a mission dispatched to Iran and Iraq by the Secretary-General which was transmitted to the Council by the Secretary-General on I9 February [S/16%2]. I also draw members’ attention to the following documents: letter &ted I9 February from the representative of the Secretary-General [S/f698t]; and letter dated 26 February from the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to intensive psychological indoctrination to turn them into agents to be used by Iran to achicvc its expansionist politithe Secretary-General [S/16992]. cal objcctivcs in Iraq; 7. The first speaker is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq, Mr. Tariq Aziz. I - Fourthly, because of these objectives of the Iranian r&me, the Iranian authorities entrusted the supervision of the affairs of the prisoners of war to political groups which welcome him and invite him to make his statement. operate as agents of the rigime. These groups have employed persecution. torture and psychological and political indoctrination of the prisoners of war for political

Mr. President, I should like first of all to thank you and the members of the Council for responding to the request made by Iraq and holding this meeting to consider the aims. question of the prisoners of war and their treatment both in Iran and in Iraq. 12. As a matter of fact, such a policy on the part of the Iranian &gime. as emphasized by Mr. Alexander Hay in his statement on 23 November 1984. “forces. in fact, prisoners of war to choose between treason or death” [see 9. Repeatedly, since 1983, we have officially requested the Secretary-General to intervene personally in the question of the prisoners of war. The Secretary-General stated S/16842, annex]. on those occasions that the matter fell within the competence of the International Committee of the Red Cross 13. As regards the attitude of Iraq towards the prisoners of war, Iraq has no political objective that motivates it IO mistreat those prisoners. Since the beginning of the armed (ICRC). The ICRC, however. was not able to deal with the Iranian authorities. The Iranian authorities then totally conllict. Iraq has demanded respect for sovereignty and dignity and non-interference in internal affairs. The politiforbade representatives of the ICRC to carry out their duties after the crime committed at the Gorgan Camp. cal institutions leading Iraq maintain no branches or agents inside Iran that would further any special political This led Iraq to renew its request to the Secretary-General to dispatch a fact-fntding mission. The Iranian @me tried objectives in Iraq’s treatment of prisoners of war, Iraq’s attitude towards the prisoners of war has from the outset to obstruct the mission by insisting that it should also investigate the conditions of the Iranian prisoners of war. been completely and intrinsically different from Iran’s attitude. When Iraq agreed to this, the Iranian r&me then insisted that the mission should visit Iraq first, believing that Iraq would reject those conditions and that Iran would thereby abort the mission’s task and put an end to the whole mat- 14. If there were mistakes in some cases in dealing with some of the prisoners of war, they took place during the ter. However, Iraq, motivated by its sincere concern for the conditions of the prisoners of war, agreed to the pre early stages of the armed conflict. The war imposed on us by the Iranian r&me was a new experience for us, as was gramme of the visit and paved the way for the mission to start its work. the problem of dealing with the large numbers of prisoners of war who fell captive to our armed forces. Those mistakes resulted from lack of experience and from individual conduct or for bureaucratic reasons; they had no political IO. Notwithstanding the detailed observations we have in the report of the mission [S/16964, we believe that this report has provided the opportunity for a serious discuscontent or objective. They in no way reflected a planned policy for whose implementation specific programmes sion of the question of the prisoners of war. We should like to express our thanks to the Secretary General and the were drawn up, as is the case with Iranian practices in prisoner-of-war camps in Iran. members of the mission and of the Secretariat for their efforts in the preparation of the report. 15. As IO Iraq’s attitude towards the prisoners of war, it I I. Ever since the beginning of war, Iran has declared a political objective which it has continually upheld and has been reflected in its unreservedly welcoming the task of the ICRC and its co-operating with it in order that the insisted upon: changir,g the political and social system in conditions of the prisoners of war may be in keeping with Iraq. Hence, the Tehran rCgirnc’s ::catmetli of the prisoners of war has been based on this political objective and the provisions of the third Geneva Convention.’ The Iraqi authorities have provided the means for the ICRC reprehas manifested itself in the following practices: sentatives to visit the prisoners of war regularly and to supervi.w the exchange of letters with their relatives, and &J provided for the necessary respect ior their persons - First. there is the deliberate murder of’ the prisoners of war whom the lranlan authorities believe to be alliliated with the leg&mate political institutions in their country: and religious beliefs. Over and above that. the Iraqi authorities. in co-operation with humanitarian international organisations. esvdblished a school for the Iranian children who u‘crc driven by the Iranian rkgime into the - Secondly. the prisoners of war who escaped this dcliberate slaughter are subjected by the Iranian authorities to various kinds ol’ penrcution and torture with the aim 01. furnace of war in violation of all human VahIeS. We may forcing them to renounce their political bebel~ and commit consider that school a unique model in the history of humanitarian international lau-. Iraq has also handed over treason against their own country: last January and February. They were given the freedom to choose the following: staying in Iraq, returning to their homeland or going to uny country of their choice. These prisoners of war were handed over to the ICRC in three batches. 16. Iraq has enabled the ICRC to function without interruption since the beginning of the war, regularly and in all the camps. Hence, the ICRC was in a position to know at first-hand the conditions of the prisoners of war, whereas in Iran it was prevented from visiting all the camps of the prisoners of war even during the intermittent periods it was allowed to carry out some of its duties by the Iranian authorities. 17. In this connection, it should be noted that the United Nations mission, which visited all the prisoner-of-war camps in Iraq, was not able to visit all the camps in Iran. Had the mission visited all the camps, it would have discovered many facts that had been previously emphasized by the ICRC as well as other facts it had not revealed in order to protect the confidentiality of certain aspects of its operations. 18. Mention should be made also of the diplomatic considerations within United Nations circles which generally influence the drafting of reports dealing with questions in which Iran is condemned by considerable evidence. We find more than an ordinary diplomatic keenness in an attempt to balance the report by laying emphasis on elements relating to Iraq. The motivation behind such a method may be the hope that it would encourage Iran to participate in the discussions of the Council and to cooperate with it. However, we can now see for ourselves yet again the futility of those attempts and diplomatic courtesies. given the intransigence and arrogance of the Iranian r&me and, indeed, its contempt for the Council. In its defiance of the Council and its resolutions, the Iranian r&ime has surpassed even the notorious record of the Zionist entity in this regard. The time has come to wonder how long the Council will tolerate such deliance and permit this outlaw rCgime to persist in its disobedience of the will of the international community. 19. The Council is now called upon to remedy the situation of the prisoners of war. The mission of the Secretary- General has presented a number of recommendations in this regard. Iraq is ready to implement these recommendations in full sincerity. The report of the mission. however. does not propose the mechanism for the implementation of its recommendations. Our main objective in calling for this !?KP!i*g nf !I!? C~E!ci! %!s !n !k! P pmr!&l l!!rl effective mechanism to implement these recommendations sincerely and meticulously. 24X Iraq believes that the normal procedure is for the Council to force Iran to allou the ICRC to resume its work in Iran and for the Iranian authorities IO co-opcratc seriously with the ICRC. As regards Iraq. the ICRC’ is continuing the exercise of it\ Iunctions thcrc. Wc arc Ihlly of those recommendations. 21. In his introduction to the mission’s report, the Secretary-General has stated that the ordeal of the prisoners of war can be ended effectively only by the termination of the war. But, as we are all aware, the Iranian regime insists on continuing its aggressive war against Iraq. We therefore consider that the best way to put an end to the suffering of the prisoners of war is the exchange of all prisoners, so that not one prisoner would remain in captivity on either side. That exchange should be completed within a specific timetable, beginning with the prisoners of war sutlering the most-that is. the disabled and the sickto be followed by the excha,ige of prisoners who have remained in captivity the longest, until the last prisoner of war has been exchanged. That, in our view, is the ideal solution. Iraq is prepared to co-operate with the Council, with the Secretary-General and with the ICRC in order to implement this solution.

(interprerution from French): The next speaker is Mr. Chedli Klibi. Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, to whom the Council has extended an invitation in accordance with rule 39 ’ its provisional rules of procedure. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

I should like at the outset to express to you, Sir, and through you to the orher members of the Security Council, our appreciation for the kind invitation extended to me to address the Council on a subject of paramount importance. May I also pay a special tribute to your well-known qualities of wisdom and able leadership, and congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month, particularly since Arab States are linked to your friendly country. Madagascar, by strong tier. of friendship and a mutual struggle for and commitment to the causes of justice and freedom in Africa and throughout the world. 24. The Council has been called upon to examine a vital humanitarian issue and. at the same time, one of the gravest aspects of the Iran-Iraq conflict-a conflict which has now entered its fifth year and constitutes a horrible tragedy from every humanitarian, political and economic standpoint. 25. Need I recall that the principal objective of the Charter of the United Nations has always been “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”? Yet, four decades after the Second World War, the w&d remains embroiled in local and regional conflicts which are no less cruel to mankind or less ominous for its future. 26. In spite of the efforts undertaken in the aftermath of two world wars to organize the international community so as to ensure human progress in an environment of freedom. peace and justice, mankind has made only modest headway in confronting the perils born of the innumerable 27. The Iraq-Iran conflict-one aspect of which this meeting was specially convened to consider-is but an illustration of the ordeals still inllicted upon many peoples since the Second World War. 28, I believe it my duty in this respect to draw the Council’s attention to some of the facts stated in the report of the President of the ICRC on the subject of the maltreatment of Iraqi prisoners of war by Iranian military authorities. While Iraq has proclaimed its adherence to United Nations principles in any quest for a peaceful settlement of its conflict with Iran, and while it has reaffirmed its commitment to relevant international law and conventions relating to conllicts, it has taken the initiative in releasing successive groups of Iranian prisoners. However, at the same time, the Iranian military authorities have not hesitated, as the report indicates, to open tire on Iraqi soldiers held as prisoners of war, killing and wounding a large number of them. 29. Today we address the Council with a view to ensuring strict implementation of the recommendations put forward by the mission of inquiry set up by the Secretary-General. Furthermore, while we endorse Iraq’s comments and reservations in respect of the mission’s report, we consider that from a practical point of view priority must be given to solving the humanitarian prob lem. that is to say, guaranteeing the rights and dignity of the prisoners of war as a first step towards their prompt release and return to their respective homes. The attainment of that primary objective will no doubt contribute to securing a more favourable climate for a definitive settlement of the conflict. 30. That is why this meeting of the Council is of great significance. Its aim is to speed measures likely to improve the prisoners’ condition, in accordanee with international law and conventions, in particular the third Geneva Convention. That Convention entrusts the safety of prisoners of war to the detaining State and grants them full protection under international law. Each State undertakes to respect fully the provisions of the Convention to which it is a party. 31. At this point we cannot but recall that the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the wcrld” and that “disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind.” 32. Furthermore, article 10 of the Tehran Proclamation,’ issued by the International Conference on Human Rights on I3 May 1968. states in particular: “Massive denials of human rights. arising out of aggression or any armed conflict 4th thrir tragic consequences. and resulting in untold human misery. A 33. In addition to these international instruments, which are morally and legally binding on all States, the two parties to the conflict are bound by a number of other rules and principles set forth in the clearest and most unambiguous terms by Islam. In point of fact, Islam has laid down supreme humanitarian rules and criteria governing the issue of the treatment of prisoners of war, as is indicated most clearly in the Holy Books. Moreover, the pledge made by Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab to the population of Jerusalem to protect human life, peaceful coexistence and free choice of worship is a living rule which we still need to follow in our modern times, for it represents one of the noblest expressions of human thought. The history of Islam is replete with similar recommendadons and teachings which illustrate one of the most remarkable dimensions of Arab Islamic civilization. 34. Apart from these relevant legal and humanitarian considerations, we cannot ignore the political consequences that this conflict entails. We therefore need to harness all international efforts in order to end the conllict and restore peace between the two neighbouring countries so that they can devote their tremendous potential to develop ment and resume their relations on the basis of goodneighbourliness and brotherhood. 35. For our part, I had the opportunity on 25 May 1984 [254ls1 meeting] to reafiirm before the Council that the League of Arab States, impelled by its national and international responsibility and in view of its heritage, its charter and its firm commitment to the preservation of peace and the protection of human rights, has always been prompt to grant full support. at all levels, including the summit level, to all efforts aimed at helping secure an urgent, just and peaceful settlement of the Iraq-lran conflict. Similarly Iraq. for its part, has responded positively to the various initiatives undertaken with a view to ending the conllict on the basis of respect for the legitimate rights of both parties and according to the requiremen& of harmony and co-operation dictated by good-neighbourliness. a shared civilisation, historical and religious heritage, as well as by obvious common interests. Even though these efforts have thus far. led to no concrete results, the intetnational community as represented in the Security Council should not be discouraged in the discharge of its responsibilities relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, with a view to achieving a peaceful settlement guaranteeing the rights of both parties to the conflict. 36. I believe there is no need to underscore in this forum the fact that the Arab side has done much IO promote a just and lasting peace in the region. To our peoples. peace is a vital need if they are to grow and achieve progress and prosperity. Peace is also an inherent part of our values and our heritage. As it pursues that goal, the Arab side wishes to reaffirm once again its unswerving determination to stand firmly by the Charter of the t!nited Nations. which calls for tolerance a?d coexistence in peace and goodneighbourliness. rules as the basis for arbitration in any international conflict involving one or more of its States, from Palestine to end to the contlict. 43. We still hope, however, that Iran will co-operate with Lebanon to Iraq. However, in this respect two indisputable truths must be recalled. First. justice is the main clethe Islamic good-oftices committee created by the Organiration of the Islamic Conference to put an end to the war and to lind a just and peaceful settlement to it in accordment for ensuring lasting peace. Force, even if it may provide an imposed solution for a time, cannot lay claim to anything that can be called peace, much less durable peace. In the final analysis, peace cannot be secured if ance with the resolutions adopted at the Fifteenth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers,’ held at Sanaa from I8 to 22 December 1984, resolutions that were supported by Iran, which committed itself to their implementation. injustice persists. Secondly, the quest for peace is not a matter of conditions but a matter of rights: the rights of peoples over their wealth, their security, their prosperity and their choice of a political and social order, and the rights of States to sovereignty and territorial integrity. 44. WC hope that the Member States will do all in their power to bring this war to an end. The members of the Security Council must shoulder the responsibilities incumbent upon them under the Charter and adopt the measures

(interpretation from French): The necessary to force Iran to put an end to its military operations and to have recourse to peaceful means to resolve its next speaker is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreian Affairs of the Yemen Arab Reaublic. Mr. Abdulkar&Al-Etyany, whom I welcome, I i&e him to take a conflict with its neighbour, Iraq, in a just and honourable way. place at the Council table and to make his statement. 45. We in the Yemen Arab Republic do not think that 39. Mr. AL-ERYANY (Yemen) (interpretation from Arabic)z Permit me litst, Mr. President, to say how pleased the Council’s efforts and those of the Secretary-General should replace those of the slamic Conference and the I am to be able to participate in this meeting. Today’s Movement of Non-Aligned Countries to bring about an end to the armed conflict. Indeed, those efforts are, in our meeting is proof that you and the other members of the Council cherish the cause of preserving the interests and purposes for which the Organization was founded. I am convinced that the Council will be fully able to adopt the resolutions necessary to bring about a tinal settlement of the issue dealt with in the report of the mission dispatched by the Secretary-General to inquire into the situation of prisoners of war in Iran and Iraq. 40. I am grateful to have been permitted to address the Council. As the representative of my country, the Yemen Arab Republic, I assure the Council that we are anxious to put an end to this human tragedy and to see the implementation of the resolution of the League of Arab States [S/16JfS, POX] calling for the establishment of a sevenmember committee to find a just and honourable solution to this conflict between two neighbouring Moslem countries, a conflict which has lasted nearly live years now and which has cost dearly in terms of human life and material damage. 47. I should also like to endorse all the recommendations of the fact-finding mission regarding the treatment of prisoners of war, and particularly the conclusions set forth in 41. The Government authorities in my country have been following developments in the regrettable conflict between Iran and Iraq with tremendous concern and sorrow. We in the Yemen Arab Republic have spared no 4R. We hope that both parties to the contlict will respect the recommendations of the mission, that they will impleeffort, since the very first moment of this contlict, to participate in efforts to put an end to it, whether in the Organization of the Islamic Conference, in the Movement of Nru\-*lineoA P~~~r*r~.w ^_ :- .L- ,,-:*-A .*--: -... . .“., , . ..~.SY C”Y,,l,I~rl, “L 111 .*a. V‘lllG” r.dll”ilJ, :i, a;: these efforts we have been motivated by our awareness of the broad dimeusions of this bloody conflict and the fact that its continuation is causing untold suffering to both peoples and to the Middle East region and is fraught with unforeseeable consequences. 42. We were optimistic when Iraq agreed IO abide by the international and regional undertakings to put an end tr> view, all directed towards the same human, noble and common objective. We continue to hope that such efforts will bear fruit in the interests of the peoples of both Iran and Iraq and in the interest of peace and security in the region as a whole. 46. We should like to express our great gratitude for the positive attitude adopted by Iraq to all mediation efforts. both regional and international, designed to put an end to this disastrous conflict. We hope that the two parties to the conflict will fully respect both the spirit and the letter of the third’ and fourth’ Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.’ We hope that they will also respect the norms and principles of international law applicable to armed conflicts. In this regard, I was happy to hear the representative of Iraq state his full support for the aforementioned Conventions, protocols and resolutions. paragraph 294 of its report. ment any resolutions adopted by the Security Council and that they will cooperate fully with any machinery set up to impiemem these resolutions. 49. In conclusion. I should like to thank the Secretary- General for his praiseworthy efforts in this area. I wish also to express our gratitude and appreciation for the humanitarian efforts undertaken by the mission entrusted by the Secretary-General to inquire into the situation of prisonen of war in Iran and Iraq. particularly for the objectivity. impartiality and realism evidenced in ils report.

I should like at the outset to congratulate you, Sir. on your assumption of the presidency of thesecurity Council for this month. I am convinced that under your able guidance, and given your well-known experience and wisdom, the Council will pursue its work successfully. I should also like to express my appreciation to your predecessor, the representative of India, for the skill and wisdom with which he presided over the work of the Council last month. 52. I would like to thank the Secretary-General and the fact-finding mission for its report and for the efforts of its members. Every positive step in solving one of the many aspects of the Iran-Iraq war is, indeed, a move towards bringing an end to that painful conflict, which has lost its meaning and is being emptied of all content every day it continues. Insistence on persisting with that conflict has become a reflection of the inability to see the truth and to evaluate interests in all their dimensions. 53. The report of the Secretary-General’s mission on the prisoners of war in Iran and Iraq conveys a sad picture of the continuing tragedy of that war, which has been raging for the last Iive years. While we review the ideas presented in that report, and without going into the details therein. the extent to which the situation has deteriorated becomes evident. and that deterioration extends even to the channels that have been respected by generations of combatants who in past centuries respected such channels and gave them their proper humanitarian and legal consideration. 54. My Government views the continuation of this tragic situation with serious concern, primarily for the two neighbouring countries and for the region, and to the extent that it has a bearing on world peace. While the report of the Secretary-General’s mission, the subject of our consideration today, sheds some light on a painful aspect of that tragedy, we hope at the same time that it will draw attention to other aspects of the dispute so that those who are hesitant or who refrain from doing anything will recognizc the dangers of the difticult path that this bloody struggle is leading to. 55. If the prisoners of war as individuals are victims. the country itself is also a victim as an establishment and as an economic system, as a social structure and as a human community. If trying to secure the minimum of humanitarian considerations for those victims has required this extensive internationai effon -which is stiii continuing. with the complexities of which we arc aware-we should ask what the situation would be like with respect to the problem as a whole. that is, putting an end IO the ticrce war and achieving peace. 56. I should like to put on rccrd our apprrciation lor Iraq’s positiv-c resp0n.e in accepting thc rcconimcndations of the mission and in IIS u-illingnrss IO implcmcnt them: and secure peace. We are still waiting for a positive response from Iran on the subject of the prisoners of war and its abiding by those international conventions governing the conditioni of the prisoners it holds, and for a positive response to the efforts to end the fierce war and all its tragedies. We hope wc shall not have to wait too long. Responding to the humanitarian appeal to end the present conditions of the prisoners of war-the subject of our discussion today-abiding by the relevant international eonvcntions and, on a wider scale, heeding the call to put an end to the war, as Iraq has done. is a compelling Islamic duty called for by our beliefs. 57. We know the extent rc the readiness of the Secretary- General, the United Nattons and the Security Council, on the one hand, and of other international organisations, primarily the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, on the other hand, to activate all means to reach a solution to end the war and to preserve for the two Muslim States and the two brotherly nations the existence and the security of their peoples. and regional and world peace. 58. I should like to thank you, Sir, and the other members of the Council for the concern the Council is showing over this serious subject. I should like to call on the Council to take a clear stand, in conformity with the recommendations of the mission, in order to secure the implementation of these recommendations and to preserve the credibility and effectiveness of and respect for intemational norms and their recognized executive organs, in keen awareness of the interest of every nation on this globe, and to ensure that the success of this step by the United Nations will open the way to further steps that will bring us nearer to reaching an end to this tragic war.

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

Mr. President, at the outset permit me to thank the members of the Council for allowing me to participate in the discussions of the Council on the item on the agenda. It is my pleasure to congratulate you warmly on your assumption to the presidency of the Council for this month. I am convinced that thanks to your experience, skill and wisdom, the Council will be able to consider the questions placed before it on the agenda under your presidency. I should also like to take this opportunity to com- ,llCll” -.-.I j-or;i ---.A ^^---^- *l.dm-,.:,.r YA,l.r,.. prcus.LL.u”, . Mi. ..~uuaA,~A~ .\,s-.1n*u..,. reprczntative of India, for the ability, skill and wellknown wisdom he displayed in presiding over the proceedings of the Council last month. 61. I wish to express appreciation and thanks to the Secrctarr-General for dispatching a IJnited Nations mis- Gon to inquire into the conditions of prisoners of war in Iran and Iraq. I should also like to thank the membcn of 62. The Council is meeting today to consider one of the dimensions of the continuing war between Iran and Iraqthe question of prisoners of war in both countries. Although this is an extremely important humanitarian issue, represented by the plight of tens of thousands of men who are spending the best years of their lives in captivity. it is, however, at the same time a clear and painful rellection of the danger of the continuing war which Iran is insisting on imposing on brotherly Iraq by refusing all peaceful attempts aimed at putting an end to the conflict. 63. We should like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to the fact that the report of the mission of inquiry on the conditions of prisoners of war leads us to share the Secretary-General’s conclusion, which he stressed in the introductory note to the report by stating: “that their plight, and other suffering alfecting both combatants and civilians. can be ended effectively only by the termination of the ruinous conflict that continues to inflict a heavy toll on the human assets, and also the material resources, of these two countries” [S/16962, p6ra. 14. 64. In this context, I should like to refer to what the mission itself states in the preamble to the conclusions of its report concerning the sufterings of those prisoners, who feel alarmed and lost, and the emotions they feel. The mission states: “We cannot but stress, however, that the overriding yearning of the prisoners of war themselves was that this prolonged and tragic war should be brought to the earliest possible end.” [Ibid. amex para. 293.1 65. The focus of attention in the Council today is the humanitarian dimensions of the problem of the prisoners of war in all its aspects. The Security Council, which represents the will of the international community. is called upon to put an end to the suffering of the prisoners and lo take those measures that would end the suffering brought about by their long captivity and the great distances separating them from their homes, families and children. 66. Iraq has repeatedly drawn the international community’s attention to the question of prisoners of war. On every occasion Iraq has called for attention to be given to the prisoners of war, and it has called for an investigation into the conditions in which they are held. 67. Today the Council is meeting in response 10 a request by hap that it consider the report of the mi==inn dig patched by the Secretary-General-and WC express our thanks to him for this--to investigate the franian authorities’ indiscriminate firing on Iraqi prisoners of war in the Gorgan Camp. which led to the wounding and killing of many of’ those prisoners of war. 6X. My delegation does not wish IO cntcr into the man) details contained in the mission’s report. It mcrcly wishes 69. First, the freedom of th ught. religion and conscience of prisoners of war must be r spected. and they must not bc placed under any ideological pressures or sub jetted to political indoctrination. It hardly need be stressed that frcydom of faith and belief is the basis of modern covenants, particularly the Univer4 Declaration of Human Rights and the third Geneva Convention. which states that prisoners of war should not be subjected to any ideological or political pressures and calls for no discrimination among them on the basis of their religious beliefs. Here we should like to draw attention to paragraph 276 of the report of the mission, which describes the deep suffering of the prisoners of war because they sense that their ideological and national identity, which they feel deeply and of which they are proud, is not being respected but is. indeed, under assault. 70. Secondly, there is the need for strict respect for the Geneva Conventions. particularly the third Convention, and for the role of the ICRC. That Committee must be enabled to undertake its responsibilities through cooperation and its representatives being given full freedom of movement and transportation. The Committee’s role must not be distorted, and its representatives must not be defamed. If the ICRC cannot play its role, the prisoners of war will remain without care and without the protection provided for in international conventions and covenants. In this context we should like to state that Iraq has always co-operated with the ICRC: it has always facilitated its work. The representatives of the Red Cross have worked unceasingly in Iraq and in all prisoner-of-war camps there, whereas for some time Iran has prevented the Committee from undertaking its activities. which originally did not include visiting all prisoner-of-war camps in Iran. As is stated in paragraph 259 of the report, “a large number of POWs have not been seen or had any contact with KRC.” 71. Thirdly, the detention of prisoners of war for long and indeterminate periods must be of concern to the international community. and the Council in particular, because that detention is the greatest source of suffering and anxiety among the prisoners of war and leads us to conclude that one of the best ways effectively to end that suffering-in the absence of the ideal solution, which is an immediate end to the war-is a complete and comprehensive exchange of all prisoners of war between the two parties to the conflict. The mission has emphasized this conclusion. particularly in paragraphs 285 to 289 of its report. in which it stresses that the best and the most humanitarian way of solving the problem of the prisoners of war is to release them as .soon as possible. 72. The report of the mission contains important recommendations that would. we believe. if implemented. form the proper basis for dealing with the tragedy of the prisoners of Har. We have in mind particularly the need to release them and return them to their homes through the exchange of prisoners between the two parties. We stress that it is e .ential that that exchange be complete and 73. We call on the Council to adopt these rccommcnda- [ions. We call on it to persuade the two partics to commit thcmsclvzs to their implementation. We call on it to crcatc a practical mechanism for implementation of the rccommcndations, including a definite timctnblc for the exchange of all prisoners. And we call upon both parties to co-operate fully with ICRC in the ashicvcmcnt of that end, and to work towards the adoption of a resolution to that elfect. 74. In this context, Iraq has shown its preparedness to commit itself to these recommendations and to implement them fully and sincerely, including the exchange of all prisoners of war. as is proposed in the statement of 24 February 1985 [see S/16978] and as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq stressed in his statement here today. 75. The question of the prisoners of war is but one aspect of the continuing destructive war between Iraq ;;nr, Iran, as I said at the outset. In the absence of cf’f‘ectivc measures to put an end to the war, which is now entering its fifth year, and which Iraq has always shown its sincere preparedness to end, the Council is called upon to deal with the tragedy of the prisoners of war effectively and promptly so as to ensure their freedom and their return to their homelands. 76. In considering for the tirst time an issue pertaining to prisoners of war, the Council has a moral and ethical duty vi.r+vis this important issue. Through the adoption of the necessary effective resolution. the Council will pay an immense service not only to the prisoners of war but also to the interests of international law and mankind as a whole.

I am happy, Mr. President, to express to you at the outset Egypt’s pleasure at seeing you occupying the post of Prcsident of the Security Council. The friendly relations between your country and Egypt arc well known. They arc reflected. also, in our relations of fellowship in the Ol-ganization of African Unity and the Movement of Non- Aligned Countries. We are confident that your long experience and your personal qualifications will enable you successfully to guide the Council’s work throughout this month. 78. It is my pleasure. also, to express again our apprcciation to Mr. Krishnan, the representative of India. for the exemplary way in which he presided over the Council’s work last month. 79. The report of the mission dispatched by the SCCrekMy- General 16 investigate the facts concerning the situation of prisoners of war in Iraq and Iran has opened the door to a serious discussion of this issue. It is a record replete with individual and collective disaslcrs. No just person could turn a deaf car to the cries ofhumanity which arc rcflccrcd in that record. We must all share the deep feelings of the mcmbcn of the mission in regard to what the!: uitncnscd. 2861. 80. The report of the mission presents the Council with all the aspects of the problem of the prisoners resulting from the Iraq-Iran war. Wc listened with great cnnccrn to the statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq. who quite rightly had called for the convening of the Council to consider steps to be takrn to face up to this painful situation. In his statement. the Minister set forth his country’s position with full clarity and fairness. He confirmed Iraq’s readiness sincerely to implement the rccommcndations of the mission of the Secretary-General. 81. Egypt expresses its utmost appreciation for Iraq’s concern to co-operate at all times with the Council, and we hope that Iran will follow suit in this regard. Egypt fully supports Iraq’s call for the Council to deal with the situation of the prisoners of war-a situation the termination of which Egypt, for a long time now, has been calling forand to put an end to a conflict that threatens the life and potential of two peoples and undermines the bases of peace at a time when the voice of reason requires that we channel all our potential and all our resources to development and construction and to the achievement of peace and stability for the pcoplcs and States of the area. 82. Iraq’s record of unin crrupted co-operation with ICRC is well known. From the very beginning, Iraq welcomed the missions of the Red Cross, and it continues to provide all the means necessary to enable the rcprcscntatives of that body to carry out their humanitarian tasks. Today, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq has again confirmed his country’s readiness to co-operate with the Red Cross in the implementation of the recommendations of the mission of the Secretary-General. May we hope that Iran will heed the call to make it possible for ICRC to resume its humanitarian mission in Iran so that the Red Cross will be able to accomplish all its tasks, in accordance with the third Geneva Convention.? 83. Egypt’s support for the position set forth by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq is not based on any bias towards one party or the other. Our support is based on the fact that Iraq’s request is just and fair to everyone. The best proof of this is to be found in the following excerpt from the end of the statement by the Iraqi Minister: “We therefore consider that the best way to put an end to the suffering of the prisoners of war”-without any discrimination between lraquis and Iranians-‘% the exchange of all prisoners. so that not one prisoner would remain m captivity on either sldc. i hat exchange should bc completed withm a specific Gnetable. beginning with the prisoners of war suffering the most-that is. the disabled and the sick--to bc followed by the exchange of prisoners who have remained in captivity the longest. until the last prisoner of war has been exchanged. That. in our view. is the idcal solution.‘* 1 See poru. I/ ohove. ] x that the day may come when, as we all hope, the international community will be able to achieve an honourable solution to the root causes of this malaise and to put an end to this conflict. Iraq has repeatedly confirmed its desire for an end to the conflict. That must be in a way that maintains the rights of both peoples and allows for the resumption of peaceful and good-neighbourly relations between the two countries, in their mutual interest and the interest of the region and the entire world. NOI w ’ Geneva Convention relntive to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 12 Attvust 1949 (United Notions. ‘freatv Series, vol. 75. No. 972). * Final>ec of the ~wemnarfonal Confer&e on Human Rights (United Nntions publication. Sales No. E.611.XIV.2). chap. II. ’ A/40/173-S/17033. ’ Geneva Convention rclotivc to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. of I2 August 1949(United Nntions. Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973). ’ United Nations. Treary Series. vol. 1125. Nos. 17512 and 17513. - HOW To OBTAIN UNI’IXD NATIONS PUBLICATlONS United Nations publications may be oblahwd from bwk8tor~% and dhuribuw throughout UK world. Conauk your bmkame or write to: United Nations, gales S&on, New York or Ocneva. 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