UAE voices concern over Iraq situation

The UAE yesterday voiced concern at the delay in settling ensuing questions of the Iraqi case since 12 years and pleaded with the international community to activate pre-emptive diplomacy to avoid a third Gulf war that will have grave consequences.

The remarks were made by the UAE's Permanent Ambassador to the UN Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi before the Security Council special session on Kuwait-Iraq issue.

"It has become quite clear today more than anytime before that the gap between Iraq and the UN Security Council is widening over interpretation of international resolutions on disarmament of weapons of mass destruction and their implementation," he said.

"Negative consequences of this situation have not only raised security and political tension in the region but also cast far-reaching affects on the socio-economic and development aspects for countries and peoples of the region," he said.

On the humanitarian situation in Iraq, he said the Oil-For-Food Programme had failed to meet the basic humanitarian needs of Iraqi people given the deteriorating living conditions there.

On the return of weapons inspectors to Iraq, Al Shamsi said that the UAE welcomed the Iraq initiative allowing the UN weapons inspectors and International Atomic Energy Agency's experts to return to Iraq unconditionally.

He said that the recent Vienna understanding which stipulated procedures for the immediate resumption of the inspectors mandate in Iraq was welcomed.

The UAE's envoy to UN urged the Security Council to promptly take up this positive Iraqi initiative taking into account Iraq's concerns over possible repetition of previous flaws by UNSCOM.

Al Shamsi said the initiative should be taken as an initial step towards Iraq's full adherence to its legal commitments in application of the UN resolutions in regard to disarmament of internationally banned weapons.

He said that stability and security in the region would only be guaranteed by five fundamental elements: First, to find a peaceful, just,final and comprehensive settlement to all pending issues pertaining to the Kuwait-Iraq case, a settlement that is based on transparency and away from double-standard approaches to the issue.

Second, to guarantee the implementation of the provisions of the security council's resolutions, which call for the security, safety, sovereignty, unity and non-intervention in the internal affairs of Iraq.

Also, to reject all kinds of escalation and confrontation which would subject Iraq to a military strike that might devastate the whole gulf and Arab region.

Third, to urge Iraq to immediately carry out its undertakings and commitments as stipulated by the resolutions of the security council' and the Arab League's summits which necessitate cooperation in finding solution to the case of Kuwaiti Prisoners of War and to give back Kuwaiti properties which are in Iraq's possession since 1990.

Fourth, to respond to calls for lifting of sanctions levied against the Iraqi people which have caused the death of over 1.7 million of its population and to help Iraq in reconstructing its infrastructure.

Fifth, to affirm that para. 14 of resolution 687 0f 1991 is comprehensively applied to all the countries of the region and not to Iraq alone.

To commit Israel into removing its nuclear arsenal and other weapons of mass destruction and place the same under the warranty of the International Atomic Energy Agency prior to constructing a nuclear-free zone.