Resolution 552 (1984)
of I June 1984
The Security Council,
Having considered the letter dated 21 May 1984 from the representatives of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates53 complaining against Iranian attacks on commercial ships en route to and from the ports of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,
Noting that Member States pledged to live together in peace with one another as good neighbours in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,
Reaffirming the obligations of Member States with respect to the principles and purposes of the Charter,
Reaffirming also that all Member States are obliged to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State,
Taking into consideration the importance of the Gulf region to international peace and security and its vital role to the stability of the world economy,
Deeply concerned over the recent attacks on commercial ships en route to and from the ports of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,
Convinced that these attacks constitute a threat to the safety and stability of the area and have serious implications for international peace and security,
53 Official Records of the Security Council, Thirty-ninth Year. Supplement for April, Mtly and June 1984, document S/16574.

1. Calls upon all States to respect, in accordance with international law, the right of free navigation;
2. Reaffirms the right of free navigation in international waters and sea lanes for shipping en route to and from all ports and installations of the littoral States that are not parties to the hostilities;
3. Calls upon all States to respect the territorial integrity of the States that are not parties to the hostilities and to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any act which may lead to a further escalation and widening of the conflict;
4. Condemns the recent attacks on commercial ships en route to and from the ports of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia;
5. Demands that such attacks should cease forthwith and that there should be no interference with ships en route to and from States that are not parties to the hostilities;
6. Decides, in the event of non-compliance with the present resolution, to meet again to consider effective measures that are commensurate with the gravity of the situation in order to ensure the freedom of navigation in the area;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the progress of the implementation of the present resolution;
8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Adopted at the 2546th meeting by 13 l'o/es to 1rone. with 2 abstentions (Nicaragua and Zimbabwt').

LETTER DATED 3 OCTOBER 1984 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
Decision
At its 2558th meeting, on 9 October 1984, the Council decided to invite the representatives of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Thailand to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "Letter dated 3 October 1984 from the Permanent Representative of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/16765)". S4
'"See q{ficial Records t!( the Security Council. Thirtv-ninth Year. Supplement j(n· Octoha. Nm·emher and Decemher 1984.

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