S/PV.3242 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document §/25960, which contains the text of a note by the Secretary-General dated 16 June 1993, transmitting the report of the Executive Chairman of the Special Commission established by the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 9 (b) (i) of Security Council resolution 687 (1991). Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security Council is deeply concerned by the Government of Iraq’s de facto refusal to accept the United Nations Special Commission's (UNSCOM) installation of monitoring devices at rocket test sites and to transport chemical-weapons-related equipment to a designated site for destruction, as set out in a report from the Executive Chairman of the Special Commission to the President of the Security Council (S/25960). (The President} "The Council refers to resolution 687 (1991), requiring Iraq to permit the Special Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to undertake immediate on-site inspection of any locations designated by the Commission. The agreement on facilities, privileges and immunities between the Government of Iraq and the United Nations, and resolutions 707 (1991) and 715 (1991) clearly establish Iraq's obligation to accept the presence of monitoring equipment designated by UNSCOM, and that it is for the Special Commission alone to determine which items must be destroyed under paragraph 9 of resolution 687 (1991). "Iraq must accept installation by UNSCOM of monitoring devices at the rocket test sites in question and transport the chemical-weapons-related equipment concerned to a designated site for destruction. (The President} "The Council reminds Irag that resolution 715 (1991) approved plans for monitoring by the Special Commission and the IAEA which clearly require Iraq to accept the presence of such monitoring equipment at Iraqi sites, designated by UNSCOM, to ensure continuing compliance with its obligations under Security Council resolution 687 (1991). "Irag's refusal to comply with decisions of the Special Commission, as set out in the report of the Executive Chairman, constitutes a material and unacceptable breach of the relevant provisions of resolution 687 (1991), which established the cease-fire and provided the conditions essential to the restoration of peace and security in the region, as well as violations of Security Council resolutions 707 (1991) and 715 (1991), and the plans for future ongoing monitoring and verification approved thereunder. In this context, it recalis the statements of 8 January 1993 (S/25081) and 11 January 1993 (S/25091), and warns the Government of Iraq of the serious consequences of material breaches of resolution 687 (1991) and violations of its obligations under resolution 715 (1991) and the above-mentioned plans, "The Council reminds the Government of Iraq of its obligations under Security Council resolutions and its undertakings to provide for the safety of inspection personnel and equipment. The Council demands that the Government of Iraq immediately comply with its obligations under Security Council resolutions 687 (1991), 707 (1991) and 715 (1991), and cease its attempts to restrict the Commission's inspection rights and operational capabilities." (The President) This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol 58/25970. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The meeting rose at 4.10 p.m.