S/PV.2933 Security Council

I thank the representative of Cuba for his kind words addressed to me. Mr. PmALDSA (Cdombia) (interpretation from Spanish) : Since the earlies: day5 of the creatiar of the United Nations, States have expressed their concern for the defence of life, liberty and independence and the Fsvervation of human value5 from the use of force; they have recognixed the need to maintain international peace and security and to establish an organisation based upon the principle of the sovereign equality of peace-lwitq States. It wa3 in that apir! t of peace that the United Nations was founded, and it is that abiding spirit which has brouqht u5 here today. Nevertheless, more than four decades have passed since that time, and the warld ha5 witnessed many instance5 of international conflicte, occupation and military confrontation, resulting in millions of death5 and incalculable material damage, which we were unable in prevent or resolve. On various oCCaSfOtt3 the Security Council expressed its condenmation but was unable to impose sanctions upon those responeible for the violation of the principles which we ourselves had formulated and respect, or upon those who refused to comply with the decieions of this Council. In such situations the so-called veto pawer ha5 prevailed, for reasons of a political nature. Had this not beer the case, we could have created solid precedent5 which might have prevented the recurrence of the type of situation we pointed out the harm caused by the exercise of that discriminatory veto pwer, and we wish ta take this opportunity to urge respect for and compliance with the peincipl.es of international lau, the prfmcy of which underlies coexistence, harmony and universal peace. We note with satisfaction and a sense of optimism that on this occasion the five permanent members of the Security Council are acting manimously to condemn and tpX3e sanctions against the use of force, the violation of Kuwait’s eiwereiglty and territorial integrity by a State Member of the United Nations. Colcu&ia has sumrted and joined in sponsoring this draft resolution, which establishes such measures, a development of resolution 660 (19901, adopted last week. We have done so because we regard those measures not only as just but also as conatltuting a historic precedent and a warning for the future course of relations kr the international oDmUuntty. (Mr. Peilalosa, Coloi&ia) Success in the implementation of today’s measures will affect the future of many States and millions of human beings around the world, all the nxxe no because, with the changes in international politics , there are increasing possibilities of regional mnfrcntation. It is in a positive spirit that we view the negative consequences which may result for the worLd from the imposition of these sanctiona, which are bound to have an impact upon vast areas of international economic life and developllent, for they simply have to k4 adopted for the sake of peace and future generations. Mr. AL-ASB~‘AL (Yemen) (interpretation from Arabic) : I should like to wt before the Council Sam ccmments concerning the draft resolution before us. Since the outbreak of the present conflict between Iraq errd Kuwait, the Republic of Yemen has not ceased to exert continuous efforts to contain the conflict between these two brotherly countt ies. We have tr fed to discuss and deal with all issues in a spirit of understanding and within the framework of the one Arab family in a way that would consol idate Arab ed idatity, keep the region free from foreign intewentiOn, guarantee the consolidation of national Arab security, and spare it from danger. In this respect, brother Ali Abdulla Saleh, President of the Republic of Yemen, has undertaken during the last three days visits to Iraq, Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Re met with the leaders of these three countries to discuss the prevailing conflict. De also received brother Taha Yassin Ramadhan, member of the Revolutionary Command Council and the Deputy Premier of Iraq, to whom he deiivered a letter to his brother, President Saadam HUSsein. President tiieh confirmed the need for the speedy withdrawal of Iraqi forces from the territory of brotherly Kuwait. (Mr. Al-Ashtal, Yemen) 1 should like t2 reiterate here that the Yemeni leadership will COntinue to exert efforts to ozntain this conflict between the two brotherly countries, despite the many difficulties besieging such efforts, because we believe that the brotherly Arab means of containing the conflict is the valid and effective way of dealing with it and bringing it to a desirable end. The Republic of Yemen believes that # despite the fact that the Arab Summit Conference, which was scheduled to meet in Jeddah, was not convened, Arab efforts to contain the conflict between the two brotherly countc ies have not stopped. The &ocs ace not closed yet on such efforts. This is clearly mentioned in paragraph 4 of the resolution of the Council of the Arab League adopted at its meeting in Cairo when the m;?ttec WM ceferced to Their Majesties and othec Heads of State of Arab countries to discuss the means of roaching a negotiated permanent settlement between the two parties concerned. Contacts among Arab leaders ace still under way up to this very moment. The &legation of the Republic of Yemen conficiirs our keen interest in maintaining peace and stability in the area of the Gulf and the Arab peninsula. Hence, we totally reject any foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the region. We note that while we ace discussing the topic there are military movements. We hops that the draft resolution to be adopted will not be a pretext fa intecventicm in the acea. In the normal course, this conflict will eventually come to an end, and we hope that the confcontatiar in the area will also. Then, when the circumstances are propitious for negotiation and a peaceful e-.ttlemnt, tha Republrc of Yemn will be more than ready ti follow up and oor?tin~~ ice efforts. ~ha....d.arA . ..\-.-Ga.“LQ. SC us.r not adopt any attitude at this nmetinq that would neqatively affect the efforts undertaken by the Republic of Yemen tn find a solutidl to the conflict.

I shall mm rake a statement in my capacity a~ the representative of Romania. Romania pledged its full su@ort for Security Council cesolution 660 (1990). In the same spirit, my country is fully in favour of the draft resolution contained in document S/21441. The Romanian Government has expressed its &ep concern from the very beginning over the armed confiict between Iraq and Kuwait, countries which are situated in an area that for a long period of time has known war , confrontation and tension. In our opinion, no reason ten justify the use of force aqainst 311 independent and sovereign State. The Charter of the United Nations and the unanimously accepted principles of international law prohibit the use of force ii9 a means of settling di sputea between States. It is obvious that the penetration of Iraqi troopa into Kuwait, in violation of the unanimously accept& principles of international law, has exacerbated the situation in the area, endangered inkernational peace and security, and brought about losses in human Life and suffering for the people of the Tao countries. My Government reiterates its stand that the only way to settle disputes and iron out misunderstandings among States lies in negotiations and in resorting to the procedures provided by the Charter of the United Nations. Romania calls again for the withdrawal without delay af the Iraqi military forces beyond the internationally recognised boundaries between the tm, countries .tnd for the restoration of the legitimate Governskant of Kuwait. It is also our convictim that, under the given circumstances, it is necessary for ail States hs display moderation and responsibility and to undertake nothing which may further aggravate the situation. I now Ceeume my function as President of the Council. I shall now put to the vob the draft reoolutian contained in document S/21441. A vote was aken by show of hands. In favour: Canada, China, Colombia, CGte d’rvoire, EthLopia, Finland, France, Malaysia, Roiuania, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Zaire Against: None Abstaining: Cuba, Yemen

The result of the voting ts as fotlcws: 13 votes in favour, none against and 2 abstentions. The draft resolution hm thw been adopted as cesdLution 661 (1990). The representative af Iraq has asked to speak, and I call on him. Mr. AL-ANBARX (Iraq): X simply wanted to make a point of clarification, as I heard the representative of the United States refer to me as having said that Iraq had vithdcawn 72 tanks. I did not oay that. I was cefeccing to the type of tanks that had been withdrawn, but I gave no specific number. The PRESIDENTS The representative of Kuwait has asked to speak, and I call on him. Mr. ABULHMRN (Kuwait) (interpretation from Arabic) t By adopting the draft resolution, the Council has earned the gratitude of Kuwait, its Gajecnment and its people for a ooutageous position &signed to restore peace and to defend the principles of pcoteoting an3 preserving aecutity. !iis Royal Highnem the Amic of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh AL-Sabah, who is in the best position to thank the Council, has already expressed his feelings and ths feelings of his people in the statement he made yesterday addressed to hi3 courageous people, who ace under his leadership and undec his com;nand. In that statement, which was also addressed to the world, being broadcast by the mass media throughout the globe, he saidt Weas brothers, knou that we ato not alone in facing aggression. We have with us the Arabs and the Muslims, and by our ei& we also have the States of the wotld, which have not hesitated a single instant to raise theic vc~ices to deplore and oondem;r aggression. In addition to thie, we ace the champions of 1BW. % must cebuf f aggression against our territocy and pcesecve out honour and our dignity. we must defend out sovereignty and our independennoe.W (Mt. Ahulhasan, Kuwait) At this time we are expectin? thhe continued close and sincere co-operation of the Council and the entire international communitv to implemnt the resolution as a whole. The resolution addresses an abnormal situation. Therefore. its implementation mrst be guaranteed in a way that demonstrates solidaeity and a CoLlective spirit. May God assist and support the Council. The PRESEDENT: There are no further speakers on m/ List. The Security Council hs3 thus concluded the prcsen t stage of its consideration of the i tern on its agenda. %e meetinq rose at 3.45 p.m.