S/PV.2939 Security Council

I thank the representative of Canada for his kind words addressed to me. a Davm (United Kingdom): May I begin, Mr. President, by congratulating you on your assumption of the Chair of this Council, and your predecessor for the distinction with which he occupied it. May I also thank you and other colleague8 who have spoken so kindly about my arrival here and about the work of my predecessor. I hope I will be able to live up to those good wishes. This is the sixth occasion on which the Council ha8 met to vote on a draft resolution on the crisis in the Gulf. On each occasion it8 action ha8 been triggered by actions taken by Iraq in defiance of international law and of its international obligations. On the first occasion Iraq had just invaded and occupied the territory of Kuwait. The Council passed resolution 660 (1990) condemning the invasion and demanding an immediate and unconditional Iraqi withdrawal. On the second occasion, fn the face of Iraqi non-compliance, the Council passed resolution 661 (1990) introducing sanctions 88 a peaceful means of bringing the invasion to an end. The Iraqi response was to compound its offense by the annexation of Kuwait. The Council passed a third resolution, resolution 662 (19901, deciding that the purported annexation was null and void. Iraq then began to manipulate foreign nationals in Iraq and Kuwait by refusing to let them leave and placing some of them in strategic locations. That cynical behaviour, holding foreigners hostage in disregard of international law, was the object of a fourth resolution, resolution 664 (1990). Most recently, the Council took action to counter Iraq's efforts to break the sanctions which it had imposed, and it passed a fifth resolution, resolution 565 ,rnanr ,--tvl# +Sth pGin;;fts 't&e iis0 Of iiil&GEi LIozcjQ to Bait iiiaritime Gripping so as to ensure the strict implementation of sanctions. Now we are faced with yet a further breach by Iraq of international law and of its international obligations. The Iraqi Government is refusing to *lupply food to the poorest and most vulnerable of the third-country nationals in Kuwait, the workers from a number of Asian countries. The Government of Iraq is boasting that it still has considerable supplies of basic foodstuffs: these third-country nationals are simply being singled out for discriminatory treatment. And these are people who have played an important part in the economy of Kuwait. Now they are being cynically and as pawns by the Iraqi Government, and that is contrary to Iraq's obligations under the fourth Geneva Convention. We should, of course, be in no doubt about Iraqi objectives. By provoking a human tragedy - to be blunt, by starving foreign nationals and in particular Asian workers on its own territory and in Kuwait - it is seeking to open a breach in the sanctions which this Council has imposed upon it. The resolution we have just adopted is designed to avoid such an outcome while at the same time meeting the real humanitarian needs of these innocent victims, as was clearly intended when the samtions were imposed. The Council is laying down guidelines to enable food’to be supplied when it can be objectively established that a humanitarian need exists. These guidelines will permit food to be brought without delay to the Indian and other na:ionals from Asian countries who are now suffering0 The Secretary-General has already drawn attention to their plight, and there is no need for a further report on their conditions. Iraq can sail immediately. But when it reaches its destination its cargo of food must be distributed under the supervision of the international humanitarian agencies to ensure it teaches those for whom it is intended. That point highliyhts (SirDavidS Unftad) a real difficulty. A rdgime which as an occupying Power has looted medical aupplies and equipment from Kuwait is likely to have little compunction about dgverting food supplies from those in real need towards its own military. Hence the provisiona in the resolution, which were quite essential, that the supervision of the supply of food should be in the hands of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or other appropriate humanitarian agenciee. Iraq has 80 far refused to allow those agencies to play any role in the current conflict and has even refused to allow the President of the ICRC to go to Kuwait. I would only remark that in far worse situations in the past the international humanitarian organiaationa have been allowed to fulfil their mission and to provide relief. We have heard a lot about the plight of these unfortunate natiOnal of Asian countries which has resulted from Iraq ignoring its own obligations towards them. I should just remark that in addition to all the words some of ~8~ including my Government, have in fact committed ourselves with deeds to help those nationals. The United Bingdom has provided G2.75 million in bilateral aid for refugees from Iraq and Kuwait who have managed to reach Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. This has included G500,OOO to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Jordanian Red Crescent to meet the initial influx and 52 million to the programme of the International Organisation for Migration to repatriate nationals of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines from the three countriee I mentioned. In addition, the European Community has allocated G14.3 million for (Sir* United) Thia resolution has the full support of the British Government. Its passage will give the Council a framework within which food can be provided to those in real need, whether now or in the future, end at the same time it is designed to prevent Iraq from using the issue of humanitarian food supply, as it has clearly tried to do, to breach the sanctions adopted by this Council. The (interpretation from Russian): I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the kind words he addressed to me. Mr. Walayoia) : First, I should like to join previous speakers in congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of September. I should also like to convey my delegation’s appreciation to the Permanent Representative of Romania for his fine and able guidance of the Council during the difficult month of August. This ocaeaioo also provides an opportunity for my delegation to welcome Sir David Xannay, the new Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, to the Council. We have taken too long a time to take a position on the matter before us. Our protracted discussions in the sanctions Committee almost converted that Committoe into a venue for political arguments that were best aired in the Council itself. Obviously, we must do better in the future. There are at least a dosen petitions before the COmdtteee Each of those cases demands urgent and necessary action. The Jordanian case, for BxBFple, despite being recognised by the Committee as an -----A. L--e l elorybruuo. ta;= fn which t>l efforts should be ezortpd ta aesiat the country, has yet to come before the Council. We sincerely hope it will be taken up very soon. Malaysia also hopes some lessons have been learnt. Clearly, the enormity of SanCtiOnS and how widely and deeply sanctions cut into people and States are well understood now. Sanctions are only justified by the collective objectives of effecting withdrawal and of reinstating Kuwait. Given those objectives, sanctions must perforce be effective in order for them to be of short duration. Few exceptions can be made, apart from those clearly based on humanitarian considerations within a framework determined by the Security Council. This presents hard ChOiCe8. lo one can draw satisfaction from the across-the-board dislocation of States resulting from sanctions or from the misery inflicted on people. That we have taken the decision today, even if belatedly, to provide a framework for exceptions reflects the Council's realization that it must offer relief and life-sustaining action to those that require them. The Council understands the need to contain human suffering as far as possible. Future actions of the Council will now proceed expeditiously, I hope, within the framework envisaged in this evening's resolution. It is our understanding that the adoption of this resolution is to be accompanied immediately by a decision of the Committee established by resolution 661 (1990) to autbotize India to send a shipment of foodstuffs to the affected nationals in Ruwait and Xrag. The Committee will also at the same time pronounce its concern and its readinese to alleviate the plight of thousands of innocent and hapless Indians, Yilipinos, Sri tankaus and other foreign nationals languishing in extremely difficult conditioas in Kuwait and Iraq by appealing for an emergency international evacuation and relief effort. The (interpretation from Russian): I thank the representative of Malaysia for his kind words addressed to me. Ms. (Finland): On behalf of my delegation, allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of septemher, I should also like to thank the Permanent Representative of Romania for the way in which he guided our work throughout the difficult month of August. On behalf of my delegation, I should like, too, to welcome the new Permanent Representative of the United Kingaom, Sir David Hannay, to the Security Council. The question now before us must be seen in the light of recent events. As we all too well recall, on 2 August Iraq invaded and subsequently declared the annexation of its neighbouring country, Kuwait. Having received no positive reaction from Iraq to its firet resolution on the matter calling for the immediate withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait. the Security Council adopted resolution 661 (1990) establishing economic sanctions against Iraq. This resolution was strengthened thereafter by resolution 665 (1990) under Chapter VII of the Charter. With tbeSe two resolutions the Council establfshed a xechanism intended to bring the CriSiS to a ge0cefUl conclusion and to restore the eovereignty, independence end territorial integrity of Kuwait. The aanctione under resolution 661 (1990) must be scrupulously implemented. This, however, has to be done without causing any unnecessary human suffering in fraq or Kuwait, The objectives of the sanctions are only thoee specified in the mr**rr'l *rrnl***(an*- TM rraetiaar are by no means intended to brinq Ruwaitis, "Y-Y-- -..ee-------. Iraqis or third-country nationals under the threat of starvation. Interpreting resolution 661 (1990), the resolution just aa0ptea - reeolution 666 (1990) - establishes practical ways end means to prevent human suffering. It also enables the Council and its sanctions Committee to act rapidly whenever it is necessary to give emergency assistance to innumerable foreign nationals still in Kuwait and Iraq, Iraq, for its part, is both legally end morally bound to extend its full co-operation to this important humanitarian issue. For the aforementioned reasons, my country co-eponsored and voted in favour of the resolution just adopted. We were, however, not in a position to support the other draft resolution put to the vote because, in our view, the matter was settled in an appropriate way by resolution 666 (1990). T~Q PREW (interpretation from Bussian): I thank the representative of Finland for her kind words addressed to me. c M, (Romania): This being the first occasion for my delegation to speak in a formal meeting of the Security Council. I should like to address to you, Sir, the congratulations of my delegation on your assumption of the presidency of the Council. We are confident that unBer your able guidance, and with your diplomatic skill and experience, the Council will perform its important functions with full success. I should also like to join other repreeentatives in welcoming, on behalf of the Romeaian delegation, Sir David Hennay, the representative of the United Kingdom. We wish him every 8uccess in his mission and would like to assure him of the full co-operation of the delegation of Romania. The Romanian delegation shares the view that the question of the supply of foodstuffs in humanitarian circumstances to Iraq and Kuwait, in accordance with paragraph 3 (c) of reSOlUtiOn 661 (1990) is very tOpiCal. The resolution, as contained in document S/21747, ia meant to offer solutions of e general nature to that requirement. It seems to my delegation that the resolution just adopted covers adequately the main humanitarian requiremente which in fact prompted such an action. This resolution should be considered a8 a set of practical guidelines for the implementation of paragraph 3 (c) of re8olution 661 (1990). It will permit the granting of request8 for international relief efforts to assist thousands of foreign nationals stranded in Kuwait and Iraq. We hope that the adoption of resolution 666 (1990) will create favourable conditions for consultations requested by some Member States under Article 50 of the Charter. These consultations should lead to the identification of generally acceptable solutions for those countries which are seriously affected by the application of sanctions against Iraq. Thie should be done in the spirit of international solidarity which was the basis of the adoption of all resolutions concerning the situation between Iraq end Kuwait. At the same time, my delegation would like to reiterate its position, as officially presented to the Council in its memorandum of 27 August 1990. In spite of the difficulties with which my country is confronted as a result of the implementation of sanctions against Iraq, Romania will strictly observe and fully apply the proviafons of resolution 661 (1990). Finally. my delegation would like to thank all those representatives who ezrpresaed kind words on Romania's presidency of the Security Council during the month of August. The (interpretation from Rueeian)r I thank the representative of Romania for bie kind words addressed to me. Mr. (cete d'Ivoit8) (interpretation from French): please allow me first, Sir, to congratulate you on your aeeumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of September. I em convinced that your qualities as A I Wk.Amt- Cote d Idxs 1 a professional diplomat and your great experience will guarantee the success of our work. I should like to take thi8 ssme OppOrttmity to express the thanks of my delegation an& my own personal thanks to Ambassador Xunteanu of Romania. your predecessor, who dioplayed a great deal of talent and skill during our negotiations last month, which was particularly rich in events. We felt that it was difficult to 8ucceed such an experienced and courteous diplomat as Ambassador Tickell, but he must have told you. Sir, that the United Nations has experienced its blackest moments since 2 August last. But is it not said that the blacker the night, the better one sees the stars? Your star has risen, Mr. Ambassador, and will qufde the Security Council in the right direction, I am sure, and allow it to leave the dark path on which it now finds itaelf with the not insignificant possibility of attaining the irreparable at any moment. The decision just taken by the Security Council is of Capital importance in humanitarian terms. It shows the international community that by adopting resolution 661 (1990) concerning sanctiona, the Security Council did not intend to use those sanctions a6 a food weapon to starve innocent pOpulatiOn8. My delegation knows who is responsible for starving the Western hostages, the workers of countries that are all members of the non-aligned mvem8nlt reduced to the state of human debris in tbe desert as well as the noble people of Kuwait. We know who is respoasible - it is Iraq. With the adoption of resolution 666 (1990). it will be possible to send foodstuffs to the civilian populations in Iraq and Kuwait and to lend particular attention to those who are vulnerable. But Irag must allow that to happen. xy delegation believes that the flexibility of the Security Council arising from humanitarian circumstances must go hand-in-hand with severity and vigilance if we are to achieve tbe goal set inr resolution 660 (1990), which is unequivocal and call8 for the unconaitional withdrawal of Iraq from Kuwait. My delegation is therefore pleased by the adoption of resolution 666 (19901, --*l-b ~=@(*nm *hn gemral contest of all humanitarian action in favour of the "u..kaa u--L--- -- CiVilhI pOpUl8tiOn6 in Iraq Sn8 KuWaita It will allow the Connnittee to undertake appropriate mea6ure8 to relieve the suffering of the maf=b, 6ri Lankan aa Philippine national8 and other foreign nationals stranded in Irag aad occupied Kuwait. It is to be desired that they he repatriated as soon as possible so as to avoid this tragic situation becoming an eternal one, as can be seen, regretfully, in other regions of our continent. m (interpretation from Russian): I thrsk the representative of CGte d'Ivoire for hie kind words addressed to me. Mr. PEW (Colombia) (interpretation from Spanish): My delegation would like to join in the congratulations that you, Sir, have received from earlier speakers. Similarly, we would like to er,+ress our thanks to Ambassador Munteanu, as other speakers have done. We have spent almost a month ana a half in almost uninterrupted meetings, and the entire world is filled with alarm ae 8 result of the violation of international law by Mr. Saddam Hussein. When reference is made to the problem of food aid, we sometimes forget why we are discussing it, a8 if it were the result of a drought or an earthquake rather than of the decision8 of one person. My delegation has expressed itself clearly in that regard and has with full awareness voted in f8Vour of the six resolutions adopted by the Council, particularly resolution 660 (1990). in which the Government of Iraq was condemned for its actions, and resolution 661 (1990), by me8n5 of which the embargo was imposed on Iraqi imports and e%ports 88 a peaceful means of avoiding armed action. At that time, we said that the Security Council could not allow a precedent to be established in which someone with enough power was able to impose his wishes on other States. We voted in favour of resolution 666 (1990), which complements resolution 661 (1990) and fill8 some of it5 gaps. We would have wished resolution 666 (1990) to have considered a more efficient and feasible eyatem than that which has been included in it. We are not very optimistic about the speedy and expeditious way in wh!ch it will function. t&g. Peiialosa. ColQJ&&&) However, we have no illusions that the Government of Iraq is going to allow the resolution to function as many believe it will. For the Government of Iraq, it is no mystery that the Security Council , which has just adopted resolution 666 (1990), was the same body that imposed tbe sanctions. We hope that in the near future measures will be adopted that will make the functioning of the Committee more efficient - perhaps because it has just begun its work, the Committee has to date demonstrated a high degree of inefficiency - and also fill some of the legal vacuumsr such as the implementation or the handling and administering of the requests that have reached the Council under Article 3. Iraq is using the hunger of the foreigners in its territory as another criminal and inhuman weapon. In this resolution, we would have wanted the Council more emphatically end clearly to deal with the status of foreigners who are subject to such attitudes on the part of the Iraqi Government. Of course, the Iraqi inhabitants are the responsibility of Mr. Hussein and he he is responsible to them for his actions. It ia sad that human beings must suffer from the conrequeaces of the mad actions of their leaders, but it is prefertable to suffer from hunger rather than to be eliminated in a war. We do not forget that the wars of recent decades have left so many civilian %ead. Colombia prefers sanctione, however painful and costly, over war. m (interpretation from Russian): I thank the representative of Colombia for his kinds words addressed to me. I should now like to make a statement in my capacity as representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The aggression by Iraq against the State of Kuwait and the subsequent annexation of that State were described by the Security Council as a breach of international peace and security. Five Security Council resolutions, each logically flowing from the context of the evolving situation, have been adopted in answer to Iraq's actions. The international consensus with regard to the Iraqi aggression has been unequivocal: Iraq must withdraw immediately and unconditionally from XUWait, restore the legitimate government of Kuwait and release all hostages hela in Iraq and Xuwait. The Soviet Union actively participated in the drafting of those resolutions and voted in favour of all of them. We were unable to act in any other way becaune the principles and norms of international law cannot be cast aside. The very nature of Iraq's conduct - and it had sufficient time to comply properly with the resolutions of the Security Council and redress its actions - has given us no other choice. Aa we know, at the very beginning of the crisis the Soviet Union laid the main emphasis on collective efforts based on the full use of the machinery and potential of the united Rations. It gave unequivocal preference to a solution of tie crisis by diplomatic means l That was the position we took in considering resolution 661 (1990). which was adopted by an overwhelming majority of the Council. We considered that ran@lufi@n ta bo r seeos?~r~ P-5 ~~i$~C lever for coiiectiveiy infiueacing Iraq in view of its continuing occupation of the State of Kuwait and its flouting of norms of international law. (ThePresident) The Soviet delegation believed that the implementation of the Security Council's resolution would help to avoid further dangerous complications in the situation and make it possible to return to the status that existed prior to 2 August. The Soviet delegation was of course fully aware that the implementation of the sanctions in their entirety, as provided by resolution 661 (19901, would create serious economic, social aaa humanitarian problems for many States. Those problems would be felt first and foremost by those countries directly involved in the ctisisr but certainly not confined to them. I should like to note that the regime set up by the Security Council in respect to Iraq has created many problems of an economic nature for my own country as well. At the same tfme, we cannot in all our discussions lose sight of the basic fact that the primordial reason for all those problems is the continuing occupation and annexation of the State of Kuwait by Iraq and that they were not created by the sanctions adopted as a result of those actions. If we are to lose sight of that primary reason or gloss over it , we will run the risk of departing from the course aet for us in our work here. I am referring to the course laid down in the Charter of the United Uations. The adoption of sanctions was a natural and necessary reaction to an act of aggression and is in full accordsnce with the provisions of the Charter, with which all States that have joined the Organisation have solemnly coranittet3 themselves to comply. Of course, the Security Council %oes not feel that economic sanctions are aimed at causing hunget anb diSeaSe among the populations of Iraq and Kuwait. As is well known, that aspect was the subject of special consideration at the recent Helsinki meeting between the President of the Soviet Union, Mr. Gorbachev, and the President of the Unite& States, Mr. Bush, In the joint coarmuniqu4 issued following that meeting, emphasis was laid on the fact that t-President) *'the Soviet Union and the United States recoqniae that Security Council resolution 661 (1990) permits the export of foodstuffs to Iraq and Kuwait for humanitarian considerations." In that connectiorr the joint communiqu8 singled out the role of the sanctions committee as well as tbe existing international agencies called upon to superviee the supply of foodstuffs as intended. In light of this entire set oti considerations , we have approached the basic idea of the reSOlUtiOn as a clear recognition of the internationally recognised need for procedures to allow for the humanitarian provision of foodstuffs and medical supplies to Iraq and Kuwait. We believe that the resolution will circumvent artificial impediments and make it possible effectively to solve specific problemsc for example in connection with the vessel dispatched by India to assist its nationals in Kuwait. It is also important that the resolution places special emphasis on the situation of children and mothera, the sick and the elderly and all who are experiencing special suffering as a result of the aggression. The Soviet delegation therefore, by actively participating in the preparation of the resolution, which was submitted by a number of countries, lent its support to resolution 666 (1990). As for the other draft resolution submitted today, it is our view that it clearly departed from the spirit and purposes and specific provisions adopted by a majority of Council members in resolution 661 (1990). The Soviet delegation was therefore unable to support it. I now resume my function 8s President of the Security Council. I call upon the representative of Kuwait, who has asked to make a statement. m. ABW (Kuwait)(fnterpretation from Arabic): It is a source of pleasure for my ilelegation to see you. Sir, a representative of the great and fraternal country of the Coviet Union, presiding over the Council's work for this month l Your reputation and vast experience and wisdom are well known. We offer you our cot blations and wish you well and are sure that you will conduct the Council's work with your characteristic wisdom. I should also like to take thin opportunity to express to our friend Ambassador Munteanu, Permanent Representative of Romania, our congratulations on the excellent manner in which he conducted the work of the Council last month, during which the Security Council played its effective role in defending international peace and security and in translating the principle8 of the Charter into implementable resolutions. (Mr.) X should also like to welcome among us the new Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, Sir David Hannay. X wish him every success as he carries out his task of serving bfs country here. I am sure that our two delegations will fully co-operate with each other in the interests of the just causes oP the world. The brutal Iraqi aggression against Kuwait has not confined itself to violating the independence and territorial integrity of Kuwaitr Iraq has engaged in the worst kinds of activities against the Moslem country of Kuwait. It has plundered that country’s resources and wealth, in a manner unparalleled in history. Iraq is in violation of all tbe norms of conduct. It can be eaid safely and very humbly that the actions if the Iraqi forces amount to unscrupulous armed robbery of the movable property in Kuwait. Even boapital equipment has been stolen. Patients have been left to die on the spot as a result of the theft not only of medicines but also of sophisticated medical equipment. The Iraqi soldiers are 80 brutal and so arrogant that even premature babies have been left to die because the medical equipxent they nesd ha8 been stolen aud taken to Iraq. Reports have been maBe to the Security Council about these actions, of uapsralleled iahuxaxity. We call upon the Council to shoulder ita moral teeponsibility by playing a role of deterrence yia -*- a via Iraq, in order to compel it to atop thiu iximntan action imuaaiately. The Iraqi aggressor has not lixited itself to defying the international will ,axd ebowixg contexpt for the basic valuee and traditions of mankind, not to epeak of the injunction6 of Islam. Ho, it ha8 extexded it8 brutality to the aaily eubsistence of the Kuwdti people, to their fodstoffs. The Xrmi force8 have started to plunder buqe amunts of footi stored in Kuwait - f4od that ueed to supply the flouriobinq markets of that secure country. Whxtever food is left is xow being usurped by the Iraqi forces, which are supervising its bietribution. They have ai& Abu.ahamA Kuwait) prevented the Kuwaitis, who are the legitimate and rightful owners of the land, from getting the necessary food. Iraqi soldiers have broken into Kuwaiti homes, violating their aaactity and stealing whatever food they could lay their hands on. While we have great sympathy for the people of third countries who are in Kuwait - indeed our hearts go out to them - and while we sympathize with the positions of their Governments , we should like, at the same time, to direct the Council's attention to the fact that the entire Kuwaiti people has suffered tremendously under this brutal aggression, as a result of the practices engaged in by the occupation forces and the policy of the aggressive Iraqi leadership. All this is not in conformity with the basic rules of justice and the norms of human behaviour. We understand the reasons behind the resolution just adopted. In this connection, we shoulu like to ltress the following points: P$rat, the plight of the Ruwaiti people should be kept in mind in any consideration of solutions to humanitarian questions and the effects of the brutality of the aggressor. This should not deflect our attention from the plight of the zkatimals of third countries. Par should it bar u8 from considering the basic problem - that is, the problem of the Kuwaitist their food, their safety, their rights, their land. Secondlyr we have no ConffUence at all in the occupying Power. That Power should uot be given any role in determining the needs of the Kuwaitie or in regard to the distribution of food. The competent international organisations should carry aut this humanitarian task. They should be entrusted with applying the Pourtb Geneva Conventioa. The occupying Power has no regard for human values. Therefore, it should not be given any role in these processes. Those who do not have any human feelings cannot show humanity towards tthers. (Mr.1 Thirdly, in no circumstances should these humanitarian questions - important, indeed vit.4. as tbey are - deflect our attention from tbe crux of the question: the continued Iraqi occupation of Kuwait and Iraq's refusal to comply with international law by implementiag the Security Council reSOlUtiOna. We agree with the representative of Yemen that what is moat valuable is human life itself. What ha8 the Iraqi army been doing to Ruwaiti human beings ever since the aggression against Kuwait? Baa it not killed Kuwaitis? Has it not violated the sauctity of Kuwaiti homes7 Has it not been ruthlesct towards the population, including the sick, the elderly and the women? Yes, the Iraqis have done that. Should not those who suffer because others are going hungry also raise their voices against the ouffering of an entire people? They should shoulder their full responsibility here in the Security Council in order to stop the aggression against and the occupation of that people. The representative Of Cuba went into detail with regard to the economic difficulties of some countries, such as fraternal Jordan, saying a month has elapsed since we received Jordan's report on its difficult economic circumstances. The repesentative of Cuba spoke of the Council's moral reponsihilities. Kave some representative8 forgotten that this ia the forty-fourth day since the beginning of Iraq'8 aggression against Kuwait au8 its brutal act8 against its people? Is that not the crux of the matter7 Those problems should be ended now. What aome members forget is that not since the Second World War has any other country had ita identity challenged in an act of aggreasion by another country. The detailed comparioona that have been ma& here ignore that this act has no parallel since the Second World War. It vas an attempt to remve the identity of a secure country through a brutal , aakeed aggression against a Member State of tho United Nations. The mea8ure8 the Council haa taken me appropriate to the situation. l!be Security Council, which has taken M honourable, outstanding position since the aggreesinn began, ia now called upon to turn up the heat on Iraq to bring it to Comply with its resolutions and fully and unconditionally vithdrsu from Kuwait 60 that it8 legitimate Government may be restored and Ruweit may once again play ita pioneering sole in the service of peace and security in the region. The people of Kuwait snd ita lawful leadership place on record their appreciation to the States that have sugpo+r;ed us in this difficult time for their courageous stand. -* & &;a;* h&g ===c=:== __ *@ t&z0 atr_)_rr *t have nationals livinq in Kuwait. Kuwait calls upon all countries to put a speedy end to the occupation, for that is the only way to aomaliae the situation. They have demonstrated passionate concern with regard to the humanitarian aspects of this question, and tbey should show the sama passionate concern with regard to full Iraqi withdrawal: that is the only way to end the aggression and it8 consequences. Ths (interpretation from RuSsian): I thank the representative of Kuwait for his kind words addressed to sm. We have heard the last speaker for this meeting. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council will remain actively seized of the matter. Qtr. AbW Kuwait)