S/PV.2710 Security Council

The Security Council will now reeume consideration of the Item on its agenda. The first speaker is the representative of Senegal. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. SABRE (Senegal) (interpretation from French): I wish first, Mr. President, to express my appreciation and thanks to the members of the Security Council for allowing me to participate in this debate, in which unfortunately we are reverting to the Iran-Iraa conflict , a matter of the greatest concern to Senegal’s Aead of state, Mr. Abdou Diouf, and all the people of Senegal. P am justified in using the Wprd unfortunately, because we had thought after previous meetings on the question, especially those of May 1984 and more recently in February this year, reason vould prevail over emotion and intransigence. My ,.>legation congratulates you, Sir, on your election to preside over the Council for October. Your qualities as a seasoned diplomat and your objectivity, allied to your knowledge of the background of the situation before us, since you are from the region, give us every reason to believe that our efforts will lead to a just and lasting solution to this fratricidal conflict - in other words, that it will lead to peace in the Gulf region. I wish to pay a tribute, Sir, to your predecescor, the Permanent Representative of the Union of soviet Socialist Republics, Wt. Alexander Belonogov, for the exemplary way in which he led the Council’s work in September. I repeat our congratulations and our welcome to him on his taking up hts important post. I wish also to pay a tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Javier P&res de Cudllar, for his tireless efforts to find a solution to the conflict. We believe that what he said in his statement this morning to the Council deserves the most eerious consideration. (Mr. Sard, Senegal) My country asked to take part in the debate, first, because we believe the United Nations is the moat appropeiate place to resolve disputes between States by maceful means, and, secondly, because the deterioration of the situation in the region may have a harmful effect on the economic and even the political development of the States of the world, especially of the third world. Thirdly, we hope the Council, as the upholder of world peace and security, will be able to take responsible measures to promote peace , co-operation and understanding in the region. The situation thst hss led to thie new series of meetings undoubtedly has serious implications for international peace and security. The striking statements that we heard this morning demonstrate the extent to which we are slipping into a situation with incalculable consequences. Indeed, the threats to - inter alia - freedom of navigation in the Gulf and to air traffic show that if we are not careful all the countries of the region could suddenly find themselves facing difficulties that CCWU lead to not only economic but political instability. Nowaver, we believe the present situation should be placed in a much brOadElk COntext, that of the conflict that has heen teerfng the region sounder for several decades. For almost six years the fratricidal conflict between Iran and Iraq hea further complicated a situation that has for long made the Middle East potentially one of the region6 presenting the greatest threat to international peace and security. In six years the conflict has cost the lives of thousands of innocent men, women and children an8 inflicted terrible suffering on large number8 of people on both sidee. Every passing day means montha of delay in every aspect of the region’s development. Thie conflict ie not only draining the valuable human and material resources of those two fraternal countries; it poses an additional threat to the stability of the whole region and, over the long term it carries the seeds of a catastrophe of (Mr. lard, Senegal) unforeseeeble magnitude. The Secretary-General’s detailed statement this morning maker that clear. The fact that Senegal ie a me&Mr both of ths Non-Aligned Wovenent and of the Grganization of the Islamic Conference means that we cannot remain indifferent to thio distressing problem, which ie a eource of conetant concern to my country. The magnitude of the damage caused and the poesible escalation of the war to involve other States of the region strike the conscience of the intci:>&tional community, which cannot continue to stand by as an idle epectator of this dangerous conflict. As the Foreign Minister of Senegal stressed exactly a week ago at the beginning of the forty-first session of the General Assembly: “With regard to the eituation in the Gulf, the international community bae no choice but to persevere in its efforts to perausde the leaders of the two Warring Countries to use peaceful meane to put an and to their dispute, in keeping with the wishes of the Organization of the Ielauic Conference, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the United Rations.* (A/41/PV,12, p. 78) Senegal, vhich ie a member of the Ialemic countries’ mediating Comittee, created in At Tagif in 1991 by the third summit Conference of the Islamic countries, intends to continue together with the other member countriee of that Committee, its efforts to restore peace and harmony between those two fraternal countr ies. Peace in the Gulf region has alre&iy been the goal of courageoun and mendable initiatives taken under varioue auspices, euch a% tho8e of the .m_- ..1--. 1 y_._____ & A----l --La-- Rvtr-mLAgneu mwe)-r~~ SiG ttio u~ysuroarrv*a Gf tb XGli%ik CGT;t~Z~~~~e Noze t.L,- less, it is here at the United Nations that the groundwork muet be done. The present meeting6 of the Council reflcxt very well the deep concern of the vast majority of Members of our Organlzation over the continuance of thie conflict and the new threats that it pow8 to the region’s security. (Mr. SarrB, Senegal) Since the beginiring of the confliot the Council has adopted many re8olutiOns, and there have been many presidential declarations , aeking the two parties to cb&rve a cease-fire and resolve their difference5 by peaceful mean% Unfortunately, so far none of the re8olutions have had 5ubStantial results, for reasons which we all know. It should b5 added that the difficulties are ro great that they have m5de United Nation8 effort8 of little account. That ie all the more regrettable since in our view there is not, and there should not beJ any fundamental conflict of interest between those two countries which both belong to the third world, and which moreover are both Ielamic countries. Because of the war8 enomous re5ources and pricelees energies are being diverted from other burning problem5 that are threatening peace , security and stability in the region. (Mr. Sarrd, Senegal) In other words, the pzolongaticu of this carflict can in no way serve the real interests cf the Iranian end Ircrpi peoplea. Mr &es it meet the legitimate aspirations of the other States of the regim, Jlich, it must be said, are unjustly suffering the repercuesiam of this war: the repeated and - regrettably - maetines delibarste, destruction of their eccucmic infrastructures ahd euppliee. We heed not repeat here what has been so aptly eaid by preceding speakera. Thie al80 means that neither the passing of tim nor the lack of progress should inhroe ua ta relax our efforts to promte a just and equftsble settlement of this fratricidal conflict. The &ourity Council, in particular, must persevere in order to enmre that all the concrete and poeitive aspect6 of that eettlexent are the subject of negotiations, cn the basis of the fmdamental principles of inbrnaticnal lav, the united Nations Charter and the mutual interests of the par tie43 to the carflict. The conflict itself ie aDmpoun&d by the fact that Irau and Iraq are situated in a particularly sensitive part of the vorld. And cme need not be an alarmist to nOti that the danger of an enplosiar that could lead to a broa&r conflict is iiicreaa ing day by day. Here I heve in mind the internatianalization of the amflict. That ie why it ie indispensable for the Statee of the xegicn, and in particular Iran and Iraq thecmePvee , to reaogniize the oeriouaneoe of the eitwtiar, in the inter-t of their interdependence and their very eucvival. That ie also vhy my comtry expects thie of the preeeut eerie8 of GecutitY CCMCil meetinges first, that all obstacles will be removed) semndl.y, that a renewed appeal will be made for the cessation of hastilitiee - and that this time all the conse4uencee of thie will be drawn; thirdly, that the council will reaffirm its requwt to the belligerents to respect thho territorial integrity and the eabnarntc infrastructurea of the other aaastal States and that stress will be (Hr. sard, Senegal) placed an the need for all the States of the region to refrain from MY act that could wxeen or broaden the conflict. The objective that we have set for ourselves - that is, to restore peace and stability in are of the most sensitive regions of the world - remains a noble &jeCtiVe, h-ever strevrn it may be with obstacles and pitfalls. In ordsr to attain that abjective, we need to use all our political will, all our patience and resolve, in Order to encourage the twrJ parties pr, embark on a real process of P-m* For si% years now, the use of force has not succeeded in achieving a solutian to this cmfliot. We must deduce from this that no strabagy based on force can bring peace to that troubled regicm. More than ever before, the @peace of the brave’ - la paix &es braves - is required. This means the ceasaticm of hostilities and the uncanditimal opening of negotiations between the parties QDnCBrned, under the auspices of the United Nations. without any further delay, the Security Council should, with the assistance of our Secretary-General, explore that channel. In the course of the negotiatiars, %e legitimaw and just aspirations of the two par ties , as well as their recriminations and claim% can be e=mined with the utmost attentim. my the two parties understand that there is no alternative to dialogue and negotiation for the proration of a just and lasting peace in that regime The PRESIDBNT (interpretetion from Arabic): I thank the representative of Senegal for the kind words he addressed to UN. The ne%t speaker is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of ZaUbie, HI. Luke J. Mvananshiku. 1 welcome him here and invite him to take a place at the Qxmcil table and to make his statement. He. MWANANSRIRU (Zambia): I wish on behalf of the zambian delegation to thank you, Mr. President, and the other members of the Seourity Council for giving ms this opportunity to participate in the debate on this important subject. As this debate is taking place under the presidency of a representative of a State member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference , to which both Iran and Iraq belong, we are confident that the two countries concerned will show accomodation in the interest of ending the war. May I also exteud my special compliments to Ambassador Alexander Belonogov of the Soviet union for the able mennet in which he guided the work of the SeeutitY Council during the wnth of septembex. E(y country ha8 been concerned about the war between Iran and Iraq! since it started eiu years ago. In those six years, both countries have suffered heavy lossea in human life and property, and resources which were meant to support the eamcmic developllent of both countries have been diverted to the war. It is our view that the war now even threatens the political and economic security of the region. My country is distressed about this conflict became , first, the two countries involved are neighbours8 secondly, they both belong to the organisation of the Islamic Conference8 thirdly, they are both members of the Movement of Non-Aligned Cwntrieei fourthly, the two countries are ale0 Members of the united Nations; and fifthly - and above all - both countries enjoy friendly relations with Zambia. i%mbia has in the past consistently called on the two aountries to end thie conflict by negotiation. Indeed, it will be recalled that the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the United Nation6 have repeatedly invited the two warring partner6 to cease fighting amd to commence negotiation8 leading to the establishment of peace and atability in the Gulf. The Smcuri~ Comcil in it0 resolution 562 (1986) called upcm the &o States to ObOeeVe an imadiate team-fire, to withdraw all their foroes to internaticx%ally rewgnised bomdariee, to ex&ange pcisarere of war and to submit all aSspaUta of the conflict to mediatim or any other means of peaceful settlement of diepubm. Za&ia notes with regret that although Iraq Rae accepted and io willing to implement this reaolutim, Iran, on the other hand, retrains inflexible. 2a6bia again calls on our kotbere in Iran to ahow mderation in the interest of peace and aecur iw, We also call an the Security Council to do everything possible to bring thie useless war to an end. FOC it8 part, Zadia wisher ti assure both I ran and Iraq that it ie ready a~3 Wfllfng to Sup-t and porticipte in any effort8 in search of pea-0 The PRESSDBNT (interpretation from Arabic): I thank the Minister for Focotgn Affairs of zanbia for his kind word8 addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of C&an who wishes ti make a statement in his capacity as Chairman of the Group of Arab States for the lparth of mtder. I invite him to take a placa at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. AL-A=1 (Gzan) (interpretatiar fran Arabic)% Mr. President, I have the honour to convey to you, on behalf of rrry delegatiar, which has close links with your cantry, my mast sincere congratulations tn your assrmrptim of the presidency of the Security council this 1~013th. In vi&r of the special links between the ~ltanate of Gnm and the Wited Arab mirates, between horn there has always been co-operation, and of the fact that my country is also President of the Qllf Co+peration Comcil and Chairman of the Group of Arab States this lnarth, and has cl-e ties with your a~mtry and all Arab mmtries and peoples, we feel the Sam respon6ibility regarding common natiaral questions th behalf Of py delegatiar and all the other Arab &legatims, I am also pleased to express our gratitude to your predecessor, A&aseador BelanOgovr PermfWmt Representative of the unicm of Soviet Socialist Republics, on the excellent manner in which he guided the work of the Security Council in Gepteeerr especially since it was the first time he assumed the imprtent duties of President of the Security Comcil, following his stint as an eminent diplonrat of his ComtrY in the Arab Republic of Egypt. I avail myself of this opportunity to pay tribute to the efforts of the Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Peres de Cuellar, and his colleagues in the service of the international camunity and to find solutions to difficult regional and international problems, especially the conflict betwaen two neighbouring ftaternal, Moslem countries, Iran and Iraa. The war between Iran and traa has entered ita seventh year and is exhausting their resources and energies. Recently, there has been a serious escalation of this war, at a time when the Gulf ministers were making praiseworthy efforts, following upon the recent sixth sumit held in Wuscat, in November 1985, on the basic of resolutions adopted at Arab, Islamic and non-aligned susanits, councils, conferences and meetings, as well as by other international bodies, with a View to safeguarding the interests of both parties in keeping with acknowledged principles of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter and in conformity with the responsibilitiee of the Smzurity Council, the General Assembly and the Secretary43enerel. The Arab Group, on whose behalf I have to honour to speak today, held a high-level ministerial level at United Nation8 Readquarters on last Wednesday, 1 October, with a view to co-ordinating Arab pos$tione on the items on the agenda of the current session of the General Assembly. The ministerial Committee of Seven and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States teouested the convening of this important series of meetings of the security council in order to add impetus to the efforts at ending the unjustified war between Iran and Iraq. My statement expresses and reflects the deep concern of the Arab Group Over the continuing war between Iran and Iraa and also the support of our Group for the gd Office8 undertaken with a view to finding a way that might bring a peaceful end to the war aa quickly caf3 possible. (Mr. Al-Anei, C&an) mile wo &omend the pcmitive attitude a&pted by fraternal Irag with regard b the paa initiatiVw undeibakm, we continue to hope that the Islamic I(ujplblic of Iran will take a similar stand ~1 the international, Islamic and Arab initiatives. to pit an end tm the war , whcae continuatiou and expansicm woul& only serve the interests of the enemies of the xsladc and Arab naticn aa thwe of the PeWeS that cherish peace, security and justiw. My ommtry, alcmg with our fraternal ikab comtr:es, buttressed by their faith in the principle of the peaasful settleSent of dispute8 aa the ncI1-uae of forca in internaticaial relations, a8 well as their faith in k3na respect for national intWri* Ma mm-interference in internal affairs of States ma respect for bilateral and inteznatiaral agreements aud freedom of navigation in internatiWa1 waters, have Supported all efforts at putting au end to this tragedy. Although there has not thus far been any noteworthy progress towaras bringing the two FartieS faoe to face at the negotiating table, the United Nations, under the auspice8 of i& Security Council - the 0~3in guaraot of fntetn8tiaral peace =a security - the General AeeeP-iDly and the 8eOretaryNenera1, retmaine the best hope fa the beginning of an active dialogue ma finding 8 solutica to the c&flict. m believe that the impOrtant proposals that have lcmg been put forward by the Sacretary-General on the subject represent the coamon af3mminat0r and acceptable basis for beginning a dialogue. The vacioua etateumts and proposal8 that have been successively iseuetl in the pa& year at varioue regicmal inra LnternatiaRal bodies, directly ac iuairectlyr have tha P- -1-t MA smnmbt4m.rr.u mrl - --- ---- -.- -.--.Jw-- y-a. The Arab Group, which haa for the first time in many year e been actively and collectively participating in a debate in this interuaticnal body cm euch an important subject, invites all the partie wnwrned to make every effort ta find a (Mr. Al-Anni, man) opeedy decloive and just aolutian to thin cmfliat - that ie, to bring an and to the conflict betamen Iran end 1~4. ua fully support what is said in dealing with the canflfot by the Secretery-General of the League of Arab Seatee ad the mfnisteriel Caittee of Seven, which wae created by the Stateo members of the beague in adec to arrive at a poaful solution as som es possible. we ham that the five permanent members of the wcurity council, as well es all nedmrs of the Cotmcil and of the intffnatiaral cmmmity as a whole, will be at OUT side in a-king the EURO Objective, thus reaffirming the relevant purposes and ptinciplae of the LhiWd Nations. Both the eulrit lleeting and the ministerial meeting of Arab State8 reaffirmed the right and the need to put an end to this war and confirmed the national legitimacy of brotherly Iraq. That wae eaphasined at the eecond sumit meeting in Fez, the Casablanca sumit in August 1985 and tha League of Arab State8 meeting held in March 1986. All the suarrit and ministerial meetings of the Gulf Co-operation Council have taken a similar positive attitude. The summit meting6 snd ministerial comference of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, of which both Iran and Iraa are mea&beta, supported the efforts made by the international -unity, through its good off ices, to put an end to the war and find a solu Aon which would restore peace an8 mcurity for them two neighbouring Muslin countries, Me&era of our Organizstion. The summit meetings of the countrieo of the Non-Aligned Movement, including the aoet recent one in Barare, adopted the came Btand for peace. The efforta made by the Security Council, the General Aseembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations all conpleznent one another. They are all aimed at achieving the same objective: an end to the war and observance of international legitimacy. I drew attention again to what wae said by the Secretary-General in hie statement thie morning. After a meeting of the heada of delegation6 who taok part in the general debate in the General Aerembly and in the debate in the security Council, they all asked that an end be put to this wet between Iran and Iraq and that freedom of navigation and international maritime trade be reepected, aa well a8 the principle of non-interference in the internal affaira of State5 and of reepeet for their national integrity. All this proves that we met continue our efforts to restore peace and harmony and to end the war ae coon as pseible. All this growing international support canpels us to ask the Security Couhcil and the Secrehry-(;eneral ti continue their effective efforts in accordance with interests of the international community aud the principles of the Charter. We would like to thank the members of the Ministerial Committee of the Seven, who staked for the convening of this meeting, and to emphasize the need for a SuCCessful mncluf3im, one which would reflect the umnin~ous Arab will. We hope that the unimimou* support of the Sacurity Corncil and the international eormr=itY will help US, secure impleSPBntatim of resolutims of the smurity Council and the General AssensJly which have been adopted in this connection in recent Yeas.

I thank the representative of Ciman for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representetive of the Palestine Libetatian organisatiar. I invite him to take a seat at the Couhcil table and to make a statemmt. Mr 9 ~wIE4I (Palestine Liberation Grganizaticm) (interpretatias ProtP Arabic); It is my pleasure, Sir, to preface my satemeut by expressing to you our most sincere congratulations on your assuming the presi&ncy of the Security Council, particularly eince you repxasent a brotherly country which ifa dear to us. YOut welbknwn qualities of skill and wis&m will oxtaihly lead this Council’s deliberations to success. I cannot fail to thank pur pre&cessor, Mr. helanogov, the Permanent R3pteemtstive of the Union of Soviet Socialiet mpublice, that friendly delegatim, who presi&d over the Security ~uncil during the month of Septeuba. I thank him for his wise guidance of the walk of the Security Council, which We followed most attentively. We welwm him to his new post. It is also my pleaeure to thank this Council and express my appreciation to those who welcomd the participation of the Palestine Liberation Organizatian (PLO) in the work of the Council at this aeriee of meetings. A few days ago, six years had elapsed since the outbreak of this bloody war, which has caused the loss of hundreds of thousaude of human lives a6 well as astronomic material losses and daamges estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars. The Palestine Liberation Organisation was in the vanguard of those who sought to prevent that war before it broke out aa we 1 a8 thorn who repeatedly attempted to put an end to it. Undoubtedly, the Council will km aware that the Palestinian people are among thorn mote affected by thle war and ita grave consequences. The continuation of the war hanpete international efforts of good will which are aimed at finding a just solution to the crisis in the Middle East. The continuation of the war exacerbates tee;-ion in the region and encourage6 Israel, which occupies Arab and Palestinian lands, to perpetuate its expaneionist policy of aggression. During this war, rsrael hae struck at the Iraqi nuclear reactor, invaded Lebanon and occupied parts of its territory aud committed acts of aggression against a peaceful country, brotherly Tunieia. Iotael has continued to practise its policy of terrorism againet the Palestinian people in the occupied territories. Indeed, ite srroqance has grown and it has rejected all international efforts and initiatives aimed at eotablirhimg a juet and durable peace in the region. All these facts and all these events and experiences have shown that the forces of imperialism and Zionism are indeed the beneficiaries of this war and of its continuation. Those circles use the war to sow the seeds of division and mistrust as well as intimidation in the region and among its countries. (Mr. Kaddouli, Palestine Ltbecatlcm at-ganioaticn) They ace increashg the presaurro an the corntries of the region. They PropbSe BeCUr iQ agreemnts, and the Qtited Stat&3 of met ia is ppWJhing and developing its alliance with Israel so that xorael. may reamin a threat to the peOpleS Of the raglan as a whole, a theat to their in&pendanee and natimal security. Aware of the facts I have mcatiarsd, we have actively sought through the good OffioeS Ccmaittees of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Qrganization of the Islamic Cmferenca and by our own unilateral efforts to put an end to the war, which is Causing destructhn to two brotherly peoples and worsening the already intractsble si tua Lion in the Middle East. It is also giving the forces of zianism and ~perialism, which are inimical to the aspiratiars of our people6 for progress, 1iberatioR and well-being, a chance to increase their intervention in the region’s affake and to continue to impose their doainatiar and hegemony QL those peoples. Therefore, we have sluays been carcerned to put an end to the war. As an intirnaticnal bcdy responsible for the maintenance of internstiara peace and security, the Security Council is called upon today more than ever to take practical, effective mea8ures to pt an end to the dispute and establish peace guaranteeing both parties their sovereignty and inhpendence, a peace which will maintain gaod-neighbourlinese, based ar the principle of nan-interventicn in the internal affairs of either party. Our peoples - and, indeed, the world - can no larger tolerate a continuation of the war, with the sacrifice of human life, destruction and danrage to civilizaticn in that regicn, which are being caused without juetificaticn and without a reaaamble goal. The abatinate insitstence a~ cartiming the war is no langec accegtable, and must not be con&ned. The international ccmm~ity muat epeak out, proclaiming firmly and unWuivocally the need to end the war and save present and future genaratians of L-&L --.-L-l-- LL- L------ -a --- -US -UIIUACIO uncl LIVLLUO UL -staaCiw iui& bitid&&. The Council has repatatedly debated the wat an8 its evils. We are familiar with its resolutions and declarations. unfortunately, so fat none of them have been implemented . The world’s conscience is strained by the burdens of the wauar. T~Q international connnunity cannot fail to impose peace and security by all the means available to it. We have heard that Iraq ha5 opted for peace and the settlement of the dispute. Ate we to heat a Feitivs response from Xtan7 We appeal, from out wounded hearts, to Iran to respond to that call for peace@ a call stressed by ftaq in it8 messages to the Council, in it6 official declarations, its peaceful initiatives and its acceptsnce of the Council’s tesolutioas~ as well a5 its response to the Council’s appeal8 for the settlement of the diapute on the basis of international law and norms, so as to guarantee both parties sovereignty and independence, with no intetfetence in the affaire of either. We repeat our appeal to all mmbe~s of the Councilt do not let this year end with Xran and Iraq continuing to face up to one another in armed struggle. We hope thst the Council will adopt a decisive resolution enpreeeing the desire of the international community and all the peace-loving peoples comprising it for an end to the dispute by peacaful means, so that peace may prevail in that patt of the world. The PRESfDeNT (ititerpretation from Arabic)8 P thank the observer of the Palestine Liberation Otganieation for the kind words he add~eesed to me. The next speaker ii iii@ i4&iieiZi?tGtf'=,- cf Arg:tntir?n; 1 invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his etatement. E4r. DELPECH (Argentina) (interpcetation from Spanish)% First, I wiah to ccngretulate you, Sir, QI your aasunption of the pceaidenoy of the Security Council for the month of ckzteber. We ace cectein that your expert and skilful guidanoe will c~ntcibute significantly to the success of the work of this important body. We wish also to coonend your PreoeoBsaoc, the Permanent Representative of the Soviet UIiar, rlro presided Qver the Council 80 effectively lest math. GUC deCi6iar tD pscticipate in this debate was not taken lightly. It ie a logical corollary of my Government % firm ocxnmitment to the put-es and principle6 of the unibiz+d ~atiane. l’he preser. MAan of Lnternatiaral peace and security is a pcincip;pl cbjective of Argentine foreign poliq. we firmly support the principle Of the peeoeful settlement of international diepubs. P& beq.ieve that Melpbec States ace obliged actively ta seek a negotiated eolutiar to their displtea with other States. The Argentine bvernamnt has upheld these principles firmly and consistently. They ace the basis for our participation in the initiative of the Five Cmtinente and in the Cartadora Support Group, as well as for our policy in the dispute over the Malvines Island% They cunpel ua to make this sta tetuent . The armed conflict between Iran and Iraq should cease without any further delay. Nothing can warrant it6 continuatim. In fact, it is impoaaible for us to underetand the logic that the indefinite prolargaticm of thie war ie a valid way to pit an end to the differences between Baghdad and Tehran. That logic, I must Say I is inmmpatible with the system of internetiaral aoexietenae enehrined in the u~ited Nations Charter. ‘~b ecoept it would set a dangerous precedent. Argentina has excellent relatims with Icar, and Iraq. We wioh those link8 m cant5l3ue. At the same time, even at the c iek of being misunderstood by out feiends in Bghdad and ‘Dehran, we feel that it is our abligatian, ae cesponeible members of the intarnatimal mmmunity, to speak out t7 favour of peace. The fratricidal war of the past six years has only brmght death and destruction to the two patties. It has diverted resources that are indiepetnsable to the ecmomic and sooial progress of Iran and Iraq and has not in any WY improved the conditions of the two peoples. It has subwrged Iran and Iraq in a lmg night of violenm, &lose painful results - cities fkttened, children oWa=d, people mutilated - are daily blcme to the conecimm of Prank ind. iitau could we remain silent? We are not underestimating the importinos of the arguments put forward by the parties, including those related to the beginning of Ule cmflict and the need to respect the rule3 of war - abme all, thme of a humanitarian nature. Ebne the less, these issues do not justify the indefinite cmtinuation of the armed mnflict) nor do they detract frarn the urgent need for an immediate ceesatim of hostilities and, at the B(UDB time, the beginning of negotiations to re-establish mnditime for a mutually ameptable and lasting eohtim. The prolcirgation of the war between Iran aMi Praq has a cost also for the United I&time itself. It contributes to wreening tensim and discourages m-operation and progress in a highly sensitive area, an area here there is already mnflict. FllrtherPDre, it conspires aga,inet the strengthening and credibility of the eystex of internatimel relations and coexistence that this Urganiaatim represents. We believe that, through the Security Council, the international mmunity must shoulder its respcmibility and affirm ita commn interest in ensuring the Prompt restorat.im of @earn between Iran and Iraq. Baghdad and Shran should acoept an iroaediate cease-fire, the withdraws1 of their resapective armlee to the intertctimal boundaries and the proxpt inftiatim of conLxta aimed at seeking ways and mean0 of establishing a lasting peace between them. In that endeavour, the UIited Mmtiono skculd be able to m-operate materially end intellectually by protecting the security Of the bcundar ies, eerving as a bridge be&een the parties and harMnizing idea8 for a lang-term solutiar. Perhaps new awocdinated action auld be considered, with the participation of the &cretsry+neral - whoee tireless ef forte deserve our appreciation and firm suppcrt - and pass ibly a grcuup Of courtries not directly involved in the issue. It is in the koad interset of the internatiaral ccmmmie, Md it is its concrete req?MWibilityr to enumrage, through effective measures, an end to the war between Iran and Iraq. It is an obligation of the thited tatlone to make a new, energstic effort in that direction. It is our duty to insist that the two G~ernmants restcre to the lung-suffering Iranian and frsqi peoples, a8 soon as Possible, the full O%BrCise of their fundarPenta1 right tc life and to peaoe. The ERESXOENF (interpretetiar fran Ar&ic)g I thank the representative of Argentina for the kind Wrds he addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Jordan. I invite him to take a plaae at the Council table and to make his statemnt. Mr. BALAI (Jordan) (interptetaticn from Arabic): First, 1 have the great hmour of thanking the taesimru of the Security Council for allaeing aql delegatiar tc participate in the Courcil’s deliberations ~1 the item on its agenda. I extend tc you, Sir, our wsrmst congratulstians on spur aasu~im of the pr~idency of the Security Council fcr thia raarth. I am particularly pleased to see the repreeen9ative of a brother aormtty, the United Arab emirates, in this important pat. I am sure that you will preside ever the Council~e daliberationa with yrour well-known skill and wiedcm, and that those qualities ensure the success of the Comcil’8 wcrk thi8 18~1th. W. Salah, Jordan) I express our great appcecia tian ana thanks also to your precacessOCr Ambassador Selamgov of the Unicm of Soviet Soaialist Rupublia, rho presided over the Security Council Last #nrth with remarkable skill and even-hande&em. The &curie Council is meeting m the initiative of the Arab Coplittee of Seven, established by ministerial meetings of the League of Arab States in 1982 and giva the mandate of following the developments in the Iran-It4 uar. This is not the first time that the Security Council has met at the initiative of the Carmittee of Seven or other amcerned group3 to amsider the Iran-Iraq diswte. Fur thermore, the Committee has engaged in mmy enaeavows ad activities On Other internatimal levels in an attbnpt to help put an end to this regrettable war. (Hr. Salah, Jordan) The Cornoil ha8 already issued many appeals and resolutions calling for an end to thie dispute and most of the latter shall await implementation. In addition ti the efforta of the Camittee of Seven and tlr08e of the Securi+y Council, InmY enet*tiC efforts have been made et the highest levels by the mn-Aligned mvement urd the Organization of the Islamic Ccmferanoe; all this in addition 1.0 the efforts of We Seer etar y-Gener al. f ato recalling these mediation efforts in order w emphasize the importance attached by the States of the region and the international community to this dieprte. I ale0 wish to strses the extreme concern at ita continuance felt by all. This ccncern is acmpanied by the fervent desire of the international ~~Ullity to Sef3 this destructive war end. The arost reamt occasion on which the concern of the international ommunity about the cant&nuance of this war and the desire for it to end were expressed WaQ at the eighth euamit Carference of Non-Aliglred Countries, held in Aarare in Septenlper of thie year. Extreme anxiety and concern were expressed at the continuance of the war and calls for an end to it were a prominent aspect of the Conferenc43. Naturally, this international poeition did not come about in a v&zu~m. There ie intematimal unanimity to The effect that the continuance of this war is not juecified from the huraanitacian, political or even firoral viewpoint. From the humeri tar ian viewpoint, to date, this war has caused hundred5 of thouoande of dead and -M&d, including a large number of civilians - -men, &I ildren and the elderly - and reeultad in thousand8 of prisoners on both aides. The attent of civilian dar~lage and the mistreatment of prismera is such that the Security Council haa been ppmpted to dLcuse them more than ante became of the implicit flagrant br&xkfI of the Third Geneva Ccmve:ntim, of 1949. (Hr. Salah, Jordan) There is no need to streae the uselesanees OE this war from the political point of view. All are convinced that it will not result in a victor iota party and a defeated par*. Furthermore, there is no possibility of achieving a military aOlUtiOn to the isauas of contention between the two warring parties. Ebrtherlrrore, the war has been draining the ecormaic potential ahd human resources of both O~Utrie~ and there are justifiable fears about the effect of ita orntinuance an the safety and stability of the regitm , and this will undoubtedly have an impct on inter national peace. We are all aware of the danger TV paaand sear ity both in the region and in the world inherent in the cartinucmce of the struggle. We have seen sighs of the possibility of the exgansiar of this war to neighborning States. This would indeed be a threat to vital iutematicmal interests, particularly freedam of navigation in ihtatnational waters. This ooncern is increasad by out awareness of the unique importance of the regiar. The neutrality and stability of the Arab Gulf regim, are enmg the 6Wt iWOrtant phenopwtna in the current internatitmal order md have a positive effect on the midle East aegim, dridr is in an explasive stste because of acts of aggr@38iOn and occupation on the one hand aad internatimal ampstitian on the other. This haa led to extremism aad violance ai& vi11 have grave comequenceS Unless it is dealt with aad halted and the teasa%a for it eliminated before it is too late. In adBition bo the elements I have already mantimed regarding the lack of any --. 1 ..* --. A.--L, P1 -A.,- p,& puL.L.MI J”*LLL.\rob*“. &A a-.,....a..- r* .k4m “PI Y.F wM..&a.YIP.- -A v.-.. --, *harp 441 il aanaral feeling ----- -- - .- that it ie the responsibility of tile Security council to enawe that it ends and that it8 failure to do so raises doubts about the effectivmeee of the Ilkited Nation6 both as an inetitution and a8 an international order for the prevention of (Mr. Salah, Jordan) If there is a consensus that this war is destructive for both parties, that it threatens the regicm and inbrnatior. 31 paace and security, that it is not possible fez the parties insisting on its cmtinuance to adrieve the political aubitiohs and objectives it seeks, that it latr55ns the effectivmeas Of the severity Council and has a negative effect on the prestige of the Wited Nations and the system of mllective security - if that is true, why does Irah insist on continuing this war, rejecting all attempts to put an end to it? It iS even more diffiarlt to un&rstand the reasms for Iran's persistence in its desire to cmtinue the war in the light of the fact that the substance of all efforts of good offices aimed at ending the war are bssed on the following priuciples: an immediate cease-fire3 withdrawal of all fceces to internationally recognised bouudaries; submission by both partiem to mediatioh and reunificatiar of the me of foroa, so that a solutiar to the problems betweea the two parties my be rf&Whed in a *awful, just and hcoourable manna, a solutiar, that is, acceptable to both parties. What we aan mncluds from the situaticn is that Iran doe18 not agree to stem the bleeding of the two countriau ftcm a lethal war now entering ita seventh year. Iran the15 not agree to a just, hcooucable and psaoeful settlement, in the interest of both parties, based oh negotiation cr amdiation, so the fighting ccntiuues beftJeen two peoples linked by clcse ties of proximity, hietory and faith. The fighting cmtinues, with all its serious implicatiorm for the region. Abwe all* Iran dWS not respond to the werwh&aing inbrnatiaral wieh to end thie war cn a basis Pret is just ant hmourable for both warring States. Iran d055 not eeem to pay any attention or heed to the adverse effects of the continuance of the war cn the prestige of the United Nations. Given this situaticn, the Security Counci1 must take a decisive ahd effective stand In order to translate into reality the international ctmmunity*5 intentions in (Mr. Salah, Jordan) laying the foundations for a just and honourable settleamt - tiich is, indead, the aub8tance of the Security Council resolutiam on this issue a&pted since 1980. The internatia\al camnity camot cantinue ti be held hostage to the intoamigence or rejectian of one party. Israel and South Africa are two of the best exarglm of this kind of oituatiar% we & not wish to see Iran become the third. Ue find ourselves facing a &Oh% we can either Q harm to the credibility and effectivenese of the Security Co,mcil oc take the necessary effective meawres to pit an end to aggressian and achieve pea09 in the QIlf regicm. We must say met sincerely that neither of these options is a first choice. We should like to appeal to Iran cmce again to respard w ~~rnatiafhal efforte and express its desire to see a just, honourable and coaprehena ive eettlewfmt. In thie context, I do not believe that the Security Council can ignore Iraq’s flexibility and positive approach vie-a-vie appeals and initiatives for peace and an end to the dispute. The Security Council cannot but highly appreciate that flexibility and positive approach. Rowever, ehould Iran persist in its defiance of the wish of the international community to put an end to the war - and we have so far seen no indication to the contrary - we shell have no choice but to act collectively through the Security Council and individually as States so as to compel Iran to reapond to the appeals for peace, in its own interest, in the interest of the region and in the interest of the peace and security of the world. The PPESIDER (interpretation from Arabic): I thank the representative of Jordan for the kind words he addressed to my country and to me. The next speaker is the representative of Rwanda. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. KABANDA (Wanda) (interpretation from French) I I thank you, Sir, for granting my recuest to speak before the Security Council, and I extend to you warmest congratulations on your aeeumption of the preeidency of the Council. we hcqe that during this month of October, which seems to augur well for the reduction of tensions in certain pert6 of the world, you will heve the good fortune of finding lasting solutions to some of the problems before the Council. That is rUY earnest wish, as I proceed to make my statement. As a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, a country which ie located in a region that is witneeeing one of the blcodieet conflicts in this decade, you can fully appreciate the ecope of the human and material loesee ,and the geopolitical stakes involved in the conflict between Iran and Iraq - two neighbouring fraternal, countries whose peoples have throughout hietory developed together, forging identical civilizatione and cultures that have enriched the common heritage of (Hr. Rabanda, Rwanda) I wish also to Mgratulate Ambaseador Belonogov of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the manner in which he guided the work of the Council during September. We are convinced that hie political and diplomatic experience will bring a significant contribution to the cause of international peace and t3ecur ity. The Charter has conferred a difficult duty upon the Security Council - to watch over international peace and security. Where peace ie enjoyed, it must be maintained8 where it is fragile, it must be consolidated; and when it has been breached, it muet be restored. Hence the Council must remain vigilant at all timee. The Charter has granted it broad powers and privileges; but without the active collaboration of the States involved its task becomes rather difficult. That task ie further comlicated when considerations other then peace and eecurity are introduced in considering a breach of the peace. The Bolution of conflict6 also becomes difficult when the parties involved eschew mediation and the advice of friends, hoping perhapa that conflicta can be settled by force of arms. The toll in human lives in thie fratricidal conflict is in the tens of thoueende. Material damage is aeeesaed at several million, if not eeveral billion, dollare. However, above and beyond the human and material deetruction, we find particularly heart-breaking the auffering of the wozaen who have loet their huebsnde, of the thoueande of children and young people who, today experiencing the trials of war, will grow up in a climate of mistrust and hatred and, little by little, develop feelings of vengeance. We greatly feat that the neceoearily negative effects of this conflict will long leave their imprint on present and future generations. I have asked to speak In order to call for peace. Rwanda seeke peace for the peoplee of these two friendly countriee, for the Iranian people and for the Iraqi (Hr. Rabanda, Rwanda) peWe* Like all the other Members of the United Nations that believe in the principles of good-neighbourliness , the peaceful settlement of disputes and the non-use of force in international relationa, Rwanda is convinced - and this without placing responsibility anywhere - that the contravention of theee principle8 is at the root of the conflict8 we deplore in certain part8 of the world, especially in the Gulf region. The Security Council has endeavoured - alas without eucces8 - to scconunodate the parties involved. The Movement of Non-Aligned Countriee and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference have sent mediation missions to Iran and Iraq. Appeals for moderation have been made by the Organisation of African unity and the Secretary-General of the United Nations , as well as by statesmen and others. All that has not eucceeded in convincing the two belligerents to commit themselves to negotiations aimed at putting an end to an absurd and costly war, a war whose continuation gravely compromisea the interests of the two fraternal countries Chat are raising the stakes in a manner ptejuf3icial to the interests of their respective people8 . Favanda once again expreseee the hope that Iraq and Iran will now bs convinced by the constant appeal8 urging them to take the path of harmony and once and for all forsake the path of hatred and deadly destructive turmoil. Like all the other Members of our Organisation, Rwanda is concerned over the continuation of the war? which is undermining the strength and the energies of two fraternal peaplee. We maintain the hope that Iraq and Iran will fully appreciate the honour inherent in foetering peace , soiidarity and compieinentariiy. (Mr. Raband8, Rwanda) Coneeouently my.Government wishes once again to associate itself with those 1 who, for eix years now, have been aeking these two countries, bound by the same 1 I Islamic faith and by their comnon ideal of non-alignment, to put an end to a conflict which ha8 lasted all too long by making use of a mutually agreed ~ arbitration that might facilitate a settlement of their dispute. I In this International Year of Peace we beseech Iran and Irag to do everything I i within their power to offer their peoples the gift of peace. The PRRSIDERT (interpretation from Arabic): I thank the representative ( of Rvanda for the kind words he addteeeed to me and to my country. There are no further speaker8 on my list for this afternoon. The next meeting of the Security Council, to continue consideration of the ~ item on the agenda, will take place on Mondey, 6 October 1986, at 3.30 p.m. The meeting rose at 6.25 P .m.