S/PV.3828 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 received photocopies of a letter dated 29 October 1997 from the Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, transmitting a letter of the same date from the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq to the President of the Security Council, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/1997/829. 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 has considered the letter of 29 October 1997 from the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq to the President of the Security Council conveying the unacceptable decision of the Government of Iraq to seek to impose conditions on its cooperation with the Special Commission, thereby preventing the Special Commission from discharging its responsibilities under Security Council resolutions 687 (1991), 699 (1991), 707 (1991), 715 (1991), 1051 (1996), 1060 (1996), 1115 (1997) and 1134 (1997). “The Security Council condemns the decision of the Government of Iraq to try to dictate the terms of its compliance with its obligation to cooperate with the Special Commission. It demands that Iraq cooperate fully, in accordance with the relevant resolutions and without conditions or restrictions, with the Special Commission in the implementation of its mandate. The Council furthermore reminds the Government of Iraq of its responsibility for the safety and security of the personnel of the Special Commission and its inspection teams. “The Security Council warns of the serious consequences of Iraq’s failure to comply immediately and fully with its obligations under the relevant resolutions. The Council is determined to ensure rapid and full Iraqi compliance with the relevant resolutions and for that purpose will remain actively seized of the matter.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1997/49. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter.