S/PV.2663 Security Council

the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, Mr. Taria Aziz. I welcome him and call Mr. AZIZ {Iraq} (interpretation from President, and, through you, the other members to our request to participate in this series of inder your wise and experienced leadership the with success. This is not the first time this august Council ronflict between Iran and Iraq. Ever since the this subject five and a half years ago and adopted latter, on 28 September 1980, the conflict has xeoccupations of the United Nations Security fecretariat. We have come here once again today for issue at the invitation of the Arab Committee, entrusted with the task of following up the -Iran's new attempt to invade Iraq, which began and continues to date. The new Iranian invasion not only represents situation but at the same time reveals many that have taken place during the years of The first fact revealed by Iran's newly has declared openly in its military communiqués of the Iranian Republic, aims at occupying creating a new political, military and economic whole - one that would serve Iran's expansionist the outbreak of the war on 4 September 1980; since, That expansion is aimed not only at the region. Hence, concern over this invasion, greater now than at any other time, despite war and the achievement of peace in the area. Iran's aggression against Shatt al-Arab Iragdi port of al-Faw, together with its official speak of Iranian forces moving to occupy the Gulf and towards the City of Basrah, unmask has used throughout six years of continued during the past three years, and, as I have events. From the beginning of Iran's aggression against the end of 1982, the Council and the General Assembly foremost with bringing the war to an end and achieving to the conlfict. I refer here in particular to resolution 514 (2982), adopted on 12 July 1982, resolution 37/3, adopted on 22 October 1982, However, the years 1983, 1984 and 1985, in the Secretariat. and the Security Council, secondary matters arising from the conflict , comprehensive settlement the Council had previously in 1983, when the Guif region faced the effects 31 October 1983 the Council adopted resolution resolution not to deal with all the elements concentrated instead upon some specific elements. immediate cessation of all hostilities in the navigable waterways, harbour works, terminals, with direct or indirect access to the sea. Although the resolution offered no comprehensive was limited to only one theatre of military implementation would lead to the prolongation minimization of international concern over pressure for a comprehensive settlement, Iraq position was in harmony with Iraq's firm stand on co-operating with the Security Council and toa comprehensive peace. Iraq also accepted responsibility towards security and stability interests of the littoral States and those On its part, the Iranian régime, which described at the time as the oil slick and rejected that resolution, which would have which were the safety of trade and oil exports centres the dangers of war. The Iranian régime then by some States to ensure a de facto implementation an official declaration. We explained then to States that approached us the reasons behind We pointed out that the Iranian régime, which the occupation of the Basra area, was not interested that would spare the Arab Gulf region the dangers Indeed, the Iranian régime consider ed the 540 (1983) an impediment te its preparations for the offensive, the régime's sole concern opinion and the Organization occupied, through win time. In fact, the Iranian offensive against February of 1984. It turned out to be a large-scale military objective of occupying the southern However, after we had destroyed that offensive invaders a big defeat, and when the Iraqi air dlockade on Iranian ports, in the face of the southern por ts since the early days of the conflict, xeginning to lose, the Iranian régime started navigation in the Gilf. As it has done on all problem through force, arrogance and blackmail. »£ the Organization, as expressed in resolution 'ttack ing vessels belonging to Gulf States that sonflict, with a view to forcing those States llockade on Iranian ports, while maintaining its recause Iran, despite its defeat in the battle ts intention to reinvade and occupy the southern Naturally, the Gulf States whose ships Tranian aggression aid not succunb to Iran's international legitimacy, to the Council, which -1984, Iran rejected that resolution with contempt, threatening international navigation and attacking that are not involved in the armed conflict. In another attempt to deceive and mislead Organization, Iran began to show a readiness Iraq abstained from attacking those belonging pointing out that Iraq had no vessels in the ports in operation would consequently have Such an arrangement required the egesation could have vessels in operation, Iran rejected was, aS it still is, to occupy the ports of and threaten its western coasts, Accordingly, balanced arrangements in that regard. After the failure of Iran's attempt to episode began with Iranian attempts to deceive Organization's attention away from the fundamental comprehensive settlement to the conflict. eities and population centres, If we go back a little in history, we against Iraq on 4 September 1980, by shelling When the scale of military operations increased, hit any population centre, Iranian jets, on raids daily on Baghdad, Mosul, Basra and other and destroying houses, hospitals, schools and reach. Iran's air force continued, despite the to carry out raids whenever it could against population centres. We mentioned the latest example 31 December 1985 (S/17706) and 28 January 1986 Following the withdrawal of the Iraqi June of 1982, and the concentration of Iranian and continuous shelling began to be carried villages within range of Iranian artillery. persisted in its lies by claiming that it was iraq, Iranian lies were then confirmed in Nations mission on the subject ($/15834). Council, there exist numerous letters in which including statements from the texts of Iranian On 7 June, 1983, the President of the of a special agreement between Iraq and Iran, Nations, to abstain from attacking population rejected by Iran. Resolution 540 (1983) of paragraph calling for the immediate cessation civilian targets, including cities and residential resolution too, as is weil known. Before it carried out its major offensive in February 1984, Iran had not been interested issue, as it was only content with its misleading in this respect. But after we destroyed that need of a breathing space to prepare for yet this matter and called upon the Organization Secretary-General appealed to both parties, deliberate attacks against purely civilian with which it has deait with the resolutions Iran accepted the said appeal immediately. Iraq, appeal, for it agreed with its usual stand and President of the Republic of Iraq a year earlier. 12 June 1984 came into being on the abstention against purely civilian population centres. In order to ensure the faithful implementation prevent it from being exploited to prepare for to the Secretary—-General in which I warned against border towns and villages for the purposes of preparation for a new Iranian offensive against of which the Iranian officials continued to 27 June 1984 to the Secretary-General (§$/16649), villages in which Iranian forces were concentrated military units placed therein. I also requested provide a sufficient number of observers in all their inspection would be immediate and accurate 1,180 kilometres along which on both sides were This proposal, however, was not considered the beginning even to receive the team appointed inspect the imp] emen ta tion of the agreement should remain outside Iran. Afterwards, it agreed, let the tean stay only in Tehran, refusing its visits to, other Iranian towns and villages. What does this mean? Does it mean that to save those towns and villages, and their it that Iran wanted to use the agreement as -offensive with the objective of occupying In any case, and in spite of our prior accepted the said agreement and implemented was in harmony with our firm and principled initiative that might reduce the scourge of We adhered to that agreement despite its of the large-scale offensive which Iran was Iranian officials began to escalate their false of the agreement. On 8 February 1985, the speech in which he threatened to shell the inhabitants and those of the other border On 4 March, while we were here considering war and trying to find solutions to their incident of bombardment by Iraqi planes of Ahwaz, to issue a warning that its forces would twelve hours and called upon its inhabitants The agreement of 12 June 1984 provides deliberate attacks on “purely civilian population not cover cther targets, including industrial plants, we would have agreed on other arrangements, bring back into operation dozens of our vital that have been out of operation and subjected This is confirmed by the fact that Iran entrusted with investigating such matters to investigation. Instead, Iran issued the said 5 March 1985 hy subjecting Basra and the other with heavy artillery on a large scale, When stationed in Baghdad to visit Basra and verify population centres in that city, the Iranian to the mission, a fact documented at the United circumstance, we were compelled, in the exercise retaliate, None the less, we responded to the Secretary-General's with a letter dated 10 March 1985, in which the Iranian side, under the auspices of the effective measures that would ensure that the ‘be abused for aggressive military purposes violation, Three days after the Secretary~General régime launched the largest offensive in the borders. In that offensive Iran employed huge quantities of military and engineering equipment marshes and the Tigris River. As was the case régime was to occupy the Basra area. Although we fully abided by the agreement civilian population centres from June 1985, from continuing the war, nor did it prevent invasion of Iraqi territory. From the foregoing it becomes quite clear intentions between the international community Iranian régime on the question of abstaining population centres. While the international ravages of war and considers this a doorway conflict, the Iranian régime exploits this sensitive constraint in order to create circumstances earrying out invasion. In spite of the anguish and the human and major Iranian offensives in 1984 and 1985, and the world Organization was focused, in arising out of the conflict, while no concentrated comprehensive settlement. We strongly warned that it would not, in fact, serve the objective it would serve the Iranian plan of deception against Iraq with the aim of occupying its lands, Arab Gulf area, enslaving its peoples, plundering and destruction therein, Tt was on those grounds with the eight points proposed to the two sides 21 March 1985, points he discussed later in the April of the same year. The secre tary-General two countries, which he recorded, and, together in his report to the Council (S/17097). Although not reject those points but, rather, discussed depth and in all sincerity and proposed the addition points - namely, the withdrawal of forces to exchange of prisoners of war within a short period falsely in international forums that their régime rejected them. The truth of the.matter, however, vis-a-vis the said points reflects the same selective in its approach to the implementaiton of cbligations International law is founded upon fundamental which are respect for the sovereignty and independence of the State to self-defence in the face of aggression, means for the settlement of disputes. International and supplementary rules, but it is not correct supplementary rules and to persist in violating International law as a whole grants rights to them. It is not legally correct for a State the same time honouring its obligations and another State under international law. In Security Council is faced with a strange and parties to the conflict insists on violating international law while adhering to the substance even in adher ing to those subsidiary rules rights under them, omits to recognize the rights par ty.. In addition to that aberrant stand with Iranian régime adopts a strange position in Iranian régime refuses to participate in the conflict and imposes on the Council conditions United Nations or international practice. The United Nations Charter explicitly Security Council to consider all conflicts world, without any preconditions or limitations. having made their acceptance of the Council's No State Member has ever taken the position taking a position that has, regrettably, not by the Security Council and the Secretariat. In fact, the Iranian régime has succeeded while the Organization has engaged itself in war without placing any strong pressure upon peaceful settlement. That policy has in effect realize its objective of continuing the war Iraq; it has thus contributed to the continuation Stability in the Arab Gulf region. Since the inception of that policy in 1983 the scourge of war can be gradually reduced to of a comprehensive peaceful settlement might exploited it to the greatest possible extent. is that the Iranians have been given time to Iraq. Does anyone need further evidence of that which the Iranian régime has repeatedly tried February 1984, after the consideration of the and in March 1985, after the consideration of on purely civilian population centres; and another presentation of the Secretary-General's eight-point I should like to remind the Council of 19 December 1985, circulated in document S/17687. that the Iranian régime was preparing to launch aim of occupying Iraqi territory and thereby national security. Unfortunately, this Organization that aggression. I should like to remind 10 February 1986, circulated in document S/17814, Government had previously warned the United Council, of the Iranian régime's aggressive intentions have been confirmed by deed and Iraq, in addition te other known evidence. I stated that we had appealed to the Council under the Charter to deter the Iranian aggression peaceful settlement in accordance with international itself with only certain aspects of the conflict, time and time again with the opportunity of Iraq. I conveyed to the Council the conviction high time the Council faced decisively the international peace and security in the region continued aggression, and that it seriously the Charter in order to put an end to the comprehensive peace that would ensure the said all that bearing in mind the principles Charter and international law, and in particular 25 of the Charter. I declare in this forum, with full candour accept any course different from that prescribed law and consecrated in State practice to resolve the policies of selective and divisible treatment, not focusing our efforts upon the central point an end to the war in accordance with the norms internationally. Erroneous diplomatic interpretations have brought about untold destruction and encouraged waging war with an arrogance unprecedented in Iraq will not accept, participate in or assume interpretation which does not focus clearly and ending the war. Our people have defended our country's sovereignty, our dignity and honour with full valour and capability. sacrifices in human lives and in material property we share with numerous nations in the world that struggle against aggression and tyranny. Traq is presenting to the Security Council acauainting the Council with the Iranian aggressive Iranian régime to occupy its territory, not out exercise of its rights and responsibilities as out of its concern to establish peace and security respect for the rules of the Charter and international upon the Council to shoulder its responsibilities Charter. The Council should confront the Iranian in a decisive manner, Either it accepts these regulate relations between nations in the modern from the international community. It is for the Security Council, which is entrusted with security and stability in the world, to take situation. The PRESIDENT (interpretation from Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of to me. The next speaker is the Deputy Prime Minister of Yemen, Mr. Abdulkarim Al-Eryani. I welcome at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. AL-ERYANI (Yemen) (interpretation great pleasure to congratulate you, Sir, on the Security Council for this month. We have well-known experience dnd statesmanship, you preside over its deliberations in an outstandingly I express great appreciation, too, to Council, who also performed his task very ably. The Security Council is meeting today Iran against Iraq. As the Council knows, on Iranian forces penetrated the international occupied part of its territory. Fighting has This is not the first time that Iran has against the territory of Iraq. Over recent aggression against Iraa. My country, the Yemen Arab Republic, as aggression by any State against another State. in the settlenent of international disputes and others, Since the item before the Council relates by Iran itself - no investigation or fact-finding necessary. The matter with which the Council is now war that has been waged for years between two United Nations. One cf them insists on continuing agree to an end being put to it. It constantly continue to fight until it gains acceptance conditions that are unprecedented in history. ‘those condi tions are truly impossible dictates of reason and logic. That party clings doo on all mediation efforts by many parties organizations. - | The other party ~ Iraq - seeks peace and cons istently Geciared its absolute readiness mediation by any party. . | My country, the Yemen Arab Republic, which here , has tried to assist, through mediation It has also strongly supported all good offices certain States and by international and regional flames of the war raging between Iran and Iraq, end the bloodshed and killing and the devastation infrastructure and property of the two brother good-neighbourly relations between them on and brotherly coexistence. But we have not detected any positive to the initiatives of others. On the other state its readiness and to welcome those initiatives. It is no secret that this devastating lives, funds and resources, and in the great these two neighbour States. But despite its its sixth year - the war continues to rage The war is widening, and has thus become and material resources of the two peoples. just and prompt end to the war would pose a security of the region, but to international We appreciate the position taken by Iraq and wisdom, and because it expresses an earnest promptly and justly, on the basis of mutual respect of Iraq and Iran, non-interference by one State other, and the establishment of constructive I have no doubt that members of the Council of all the world's peoples at the continuing devastation of resources. ‘Today more than ever the increased danger posed by the escalation responsibilities, especially given that it is put an end to the hostilities, restore peace horrors of war that the hopes of the two neighbour pinned, along with the hopes of all mankind. Council's most important function under the United We ask the Council to call upon the two immediate cease-fire and to withdraw their forces borders, this to be accompanied by a prompt and the Secretar y-General to prevail upon the two that appeal and implement its elements. In that send a group of United Nations observers to monitor by the two States. It would be natural too for call upon the two parties to take immediate steps Secretary-General in the initiation of urgent, negotiations on all consequences of the conflict, of the Charter, including respect for sovereignty, integrity and non-interference by one State Also to be dealt with by the Council resulting from this war. I refer to the question war, a question requiring serious consideration the Council in the context of its examination that that question should remain unresolved. We ask the Council, therefore, to call exchange their prisoners of war in co-operation the Red Cross. The Council considered this spoke of it at length. But it is still pending The Security Council has great prerogatives include the major Powers of the contemporary is capable of shouldering the task of ending years has been raging between Iran and Iraq, positively to Iraq's position, to accept a the international community's wish that peace that harmony be restored between Iran and It is high time for the Security Council the achievement of that noble humanitarian objective, bloodshed, preserve the resources and achievements the remaining infrastructures and installations end to this wholly unwarranted devastating war. If this devastating and bloody war is not afraid that its scope will widen and possibly doubt that representatives are fully cognizant all earnest efforts be concerted to prevent the fear and to put an end to this war before the an Arabic proverb. No other is as able as the The continuation of this war, wantonly and constitutes a very sericus challenge to the Council's powers and prerogatives and perform its appropriate Finally, I wish the Council every success invited to do. The PRESIDENT (interpretation from Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of to me. There are no further speakers for this meeting. Security Council to continue consideration of tomorrow, Wednesday, 19 February 1986, at 3.30 The meeting rose at