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Press Statement released September 27, 1999
Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States met at the ministerial level in New York on September 27, in conjunction with the 54th session of the UNGA. This meeting was conducted within the framework of regular senior consultations about issues of common concern. The United States and its GCC partners expressed deep concern that Iraq remains in clear violation of its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolutions. For both the United States and the members of the GCC, Iraq's failure to comply with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions is totally unacceptable. They also agreed on the need to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people and urged the Government of Iraq to take full advantage of the UN oil-for-food program. The U.S. and its GCC partners call on the Government of Iraq to adhere to all Security Council Resolutions, including full cooperation with the ICRC concerning the remaining prisoners and detainees from Kuwait and other countries. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the territorial integrity and unity of Iraq. They are unanimous in calling for re-establishing UNSC consensus on Iraq based on the principles in the British/Dutch draft resolution that would provide for the resumption of effective weapons inspections, address the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people and increase pressure on Iraq to account for Gulf War prisoners and detainees from Kuwait and other countries, and to return Kuwaiti property. Both sides pledged to cooperate fully in the search for comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and the principle of land for peace. Both sides expressed support for the Sharm El-Sheikh agreement signed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority on September 4 and viewed it as a positive step forward. The GCC expressed their full support for the peace process efforts exerted by the United States and their willingness to support whatever the Palestinian side agrees to in the service of peace. At the same time, the two sides underscored the importance of resuming negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks of the peace process as soon as possible in an effort to facilitate a comprehensive peace. In this regard, the United States is intensifying contacts with both sides in an effort to achieve an agreed basis for resuming negotiations and bringing them to a prompt conclusion. The GCC emphasized the importance of resuming negotiations on the Syrian track from where they stopped. The U.S and the GCC expressed their support for the implementation of Resolutions 425 and 426. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security in the Gulf region. They called upon Iran to respond positively to calls for a peaceful resolution to the disputed three islands -- the Greater Tumb, the Lesser Tumb, and Abu Musa -- in accordance with international law and good neighborly relations, either through direct and serious negotiations or by referring to the ICJ (International Court of Justice). Both parties strongly condemned all acts of terrorism which they view as inconsistent with religious values and civilized principles and which constitute a threat to innocent lives and property. They emphasized the necessity to take any and all actions to impede terrorism and that concerted international efforts constitute the most effective way to combat terrorism. They denounced those who furnish terrorists with facilities, sanctuaries, and logistics. The United States and the GCC agreed to continue regular consultations at the level of senior advisors to the Ministers on the many issues of common concern, in addition to the regular ministerial meeting on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly. [end of document]
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