ACCESSION NUMBER:00000 FILE ID:96031203.NNE DATE:03/12/96 TITLE:12-03-96 TEXT: U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL LETTER TO AMBASSADOR EKEUS TEXT: (UNSC backs U.N. Weapons Inspectors in Iraq) (540) United Nations -- The Security Council March 12 sent a firm letter of support to Ambassador Rolf Ekeus, chairman of the Special Commission overseeing the destruction of Iraqi weapons (UNSCOM), reiterating its position that Iraq must grant U.N. weapons inspectors immediate and unconditional access to any site. The council sent the letter to Ekeus after UNSCOM met resistance from Iraqi officials twice in four days. Council President Legwaila Legwaila of Botswana read the letter to journalists after a closed door council meeting and then called in Iraqi Ambassador Nizar Hamdoon to pass on a copy. In the letter, the council clearly stated that all 15 council members were concerned by the incidents and expressed full support for UNSCOM's work. It stated that both incidents were "clear violations" of Security Council resolutions. Following is the text of the Security Council's letter to Rolf Ekeus, Executive Chairman of the Special Commission overseeing the destruction of Iraqi weapons: (Begin text) The members of the Security Council have followed with concern the incident described in your letter of 9 March 1996 when immediate access was not allowed by the Iraqi authorities to a Special Commission inspection team which sought access to a site in Baghdad designated for inspection by the Special Commission. The members of the Council have also learned with concern of the further incident on 11 March 1996 when an inspection team was again not allowed immediate and unconditional access to a site similarly designated by the Special Commission. In both cases access was subsequently granted only after unacceptable delays. The members of the Council fully support your~ ~~continued efforts and those of the inspection teams in Iraq on the basis of relevant Security Council Resolutions. They endorse the contents of your letter of 9 March 1996. They recall that under paragraph 9 (b) (i) of section C of Security Council resolution 687 (1991), Iraq is required to permit "immediate on-site inspection of Iraq's biological, chemical and missile capabilities, based on Iraq's declarations and the designation of any additional locations by the Special Commission itself." By its resolution 707 (1991) the Council also expressly demanded that Iraq ~"allow the Special Commission, the I~AEA and their Inspection Teams immediate, unconditional, and unrestricted access to any and all areas, facilities, equipment, records and means of transport~~~~~ation which they wish to inspect." The obligation is furthermore confirmed in the Commission's plan for ongoing monitoring and verification which was approved in the Security Council resolution 715 (1991). The members of the Council consider that Iraq's delay in permitting access to the inspection team currently in Iraq to the site~s concerned constitutes a clear violation by Iraq of the provisions of resolutions 687 (1991), 707 (1991) and 715 ~(1991~). The members of the Council reiterate that the Government of Iraq must allow the Special Commission inspection team immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to all sites designated by the Commission for inspection. The members of the Council reiterate their full confidence in the execution by the Special Commission of the tasks entrusted to it by the Council. (End text) NNNN
