ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:97041602.NNE
DATE:04/16/97
TITLE:16-04-97 TEXT: UNSC APRIL 16 STATEMENT ON IRAQI HAJJ FLIGHT
TEXT:
(U.S. believes flight violated Security Council resolutions) (510)
United Nations -- The Security Council April 16 declared that Iraq did
not have the right to fly Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia without the
permission of the U.N. Sanctions Committee.
In a statement, read by Council President Pedro Catarino of Portugal
during a formal meeting, the council said that Iraq as well as all
other members of the United Nations are obligated to observe the
mandatory ban on Iraqi flights imposed after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait
in 1990.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, U.S. Ambassador Bill
Richardson said that "the United States still believes that the
unauthorized flight by Iraq was a violation of Security Council
resolutions.... We firmly believe that it is up to the Sanctions
Committee to determine what is permissible under the resolution and
not Iraq."
Welcoming the official statement, Richardson added that most of the
council members agreed with the U.S. that the flight violated the
council's resolution. He pointed out that the statement "is based on
the consensus of all members."
"This presidential statement suits our purposes and our policy. It
states a fundamental principle that it is up to the Sanctions
Committee" to approve flights, the ambassador said. "Iraq should abide
by the Security Council resolutions."
Richardson also emphasized that "my government and I have the utmost
respect for the right of all Muslims to participate in the hajj and we
want to make that statement in light of the holidays that will be
happening soon."
Following is the text of the council's statement:
(Begin text)
The Security Council has considered the case of an Iraqi aircraft
which flew from Baghdad, Iraq, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 9 April
1997 and then departed.
The Government of Iraq, in a letter dated 3 February 1997, had
requested clearance from the Committee established pursuant to
resolution 661 (1990) for the release of 50 million dollars from the
frozen Iraqi assets being held in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United
Arab Emirates to cover pilgrimage costs and requested the agreement of
the Committee for flights by Iraqi Airways to transport those pilgrims
to Jeddah, during the holy pilgrimage season.
The Committee answered in a letter dated 3 March 1997 that it would be
in a better position to consider the release of the frozen Iraqi funds
if a request was submitted by a country which was willing to release
such funds to meet the pilgrimage costs.
The Government of Iraq proceeded with this particular flight without
specific consultation with the Committee. Such consultation would have
allowed the Committee to consider the matter and to determine whether
the flight required Committee approval under the relevant resolutions.
The Security Council draws to the attention of Member States their
obligations under resolutions 661 (1990), 670 (1990) and other
relevant resolutions.
The Council underlines its respect for the obligation of Muslims to
perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
(End text)
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