S/PV.3112 Security Council

The PRESIDENT: The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on the agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have received copies of a letter dated 24 August 1992 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council, which will be issued as document S/24509. Following consultations axwng members cf the Security Council, I have been authorized to make tre following statement on behalf ef the Council: "The Sacurity Council is deeply concerned at the current situation of the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Programme in Iraq, as outlined in the Secretary~-Csneral's letter of 24 August 1992 to the President of the Council (8/24509), including its reference to Irag's failure to renew its Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations. "The Security Council recalls the statement of 17 July 1992 (8/24309), in which the Council expressed its profound voncern at the deteriorating conditious affecting the safety and well-being of United Nations personnel in Irag. The Council is particularly disturbed by Iraq's continuing failure to ensure the safety of United Nations personnel and the personnel of non-governmental erganizations (NCOs). "The Security Council expresses its concern regarding the conduct and statements of Iraq on the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Programme which are inconsistent with the previous Security Council resolutions that demand that Irag cooperate with the internacional humanitarian organizations. "The Security Council affirms that the critical humanitarian needs of vulnerable groups in Irag require the speedy conclusion of arrangements that would ensure the continuation of the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Programme. In this respect, the Council considers unrestricted access throughout the country and the assurance of adequate security measures as essential prerequisites for the effective implementation of the Programme. To this end, the Council fully endorses the Secretary-Gereral''s insistence upon appropriate field offices for participating United Nations agencies and pro: ammes and the continuing deployment of the United Nations Guards. The Council strongly supports the Secretary-General''s continuine efforts to sustain a United Nations and NGO humanitarian presence throughout Ivaq, and urges him to continue to use all resources at his disposal to help all those in need in Iraq. The Council urges Iraq in the strongest possible terms to cooperate with the United Nations." The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda.