08 May 2000
Transcript: Asst. Secretary Welch's Remarks to POW Committee in Kuwait
(U.N. will not rest until Iraq accounts for Kuwaiti POWs) (500) C. David Welch, assistant secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, answered questions from the POW Committee in Kuwait May 6 concerning Kuwaiti Prisoners of War (POWs) taken by Iraq during its 1990-91 occupation of Kuwait. Following is the transcript of Welch's remarks: (begin transcript) TRANSCRIPT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AFFAIRS C. DAVID WELCH POW COMMITTEE KUWAIT CITY, STATE OF KUWAIT, MAY 6, 2000 QUESTION: ... the outcome of the discussions concerning the POW's' case here? ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH: Well, thank you for asking. This is my first visit to the National Committee. I have received a briefing here, which, I have to say, only brings home to me the gravity of this problem and the feelings that you in Kuwait and in the other countries from which there are missing, unaccounted and prisoners, have about this situation. I have re-affirmed the commitment of my country never to relax in a search for a solution. There must be a response from the government of Iraq. They are obliged to do so by the resolutions. I have stated this during my visit to everyone, as I am now to your readers and listeners. I have to say that, as a parent myself, I feel for the situation of these people. It is very emotional to see this. QUESTION: Yes, quite touching. So, what do you think, sir, of the Security Council reaction according to Vorontsov's last, or first, report, which was not so encouraging? ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH: Look, the good news here is: in resolution 1284, we have created -- renewed -- the demand of the international community for satisfaction on this matter. And we shall not rest until it is received. It is good to have the elevation of this issue to the attention of the Security Council. We welcome the appointment of Mr. Vorontsov, and we shall help him do his work. This is a matter that unites everyone on the Security Council. It is a humanitarian issue, for which we all demand a response. QUESTION: How could we force Iraq to put an end to this humanitarian case? ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH: Iraq should, in good conscience, do that. Ten years is far too long, and we need an answer. QUESTION: Yeah. Are there any specific procedures for this? ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH: We shall continue to keep this matter before them, demanding a response. We are patient, but we shall not give up. We will never lose hope. I don't think the families here in Kuwait would want that. I told my Kuwaiti friends and colleagues here today that if there is any issues that unites everyone on the Security Council, it is this one. Thank you. (end transcript) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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