against that country and a gross violation of its territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
"Members of the Council are further deeply disturbed by the explosion of a bomb in Gaborone West which destroyed a vehicle and damaged a house belonging to a Botswana national on the morning of 21 June. They noted that the Government of Botswana, after a thorough investigation, had reached the conclusion that the two incidents were related.
"They strongly condemn these aggressive acts, provocation and harassment perpetrated by South Africa

against the defenceless and peace-loving nation of Botswana in violation of international law.
"They reiterate their call to the South African Government to refrain from any further such aggressive acts and destabilization against Botswana and other front-line and neighbouring States, as such acts can only aggravate tensions in southern Africa.
"Members of the Council further reiterate that peaceful change in southern Africa can only be brought about by the total eradication of apanheid, which is the root cause of tension and conflict in both South Africa and the region as a whole."

LETTER DATED 5 JULY 1988 FROM THE ACTING PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE
SECURITY COUNCIL

Decisions

At its 2818th meeting, on 14 July 1988, the Council

decided to invite the representatives of India, the Islamic

Republic of Iran, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Pakistan and

the Syrian Arab Republic to participate, without vote, in the

discussion of the item entitled "Letter dated 5 July 1988

from the Acting Permanent Representative of the Islamic

Republic of Iran to the United Nations addressed to the

President

of

the

Security

Council

(

S/

1

9

9

8

1

)

"

.

6 '

At its 2819th meeting, on 15 July 1988, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Cuba, Gabon and the United Arab Emirates to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the question.

At its 2820th meeting, on 18 July 1988, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Nicaragua and Romania to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the question.

At its 2821st meeting, on 20 July 1988, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item and concluded its consideration thereof.

Resolution 616 (1988)
of 20 July 1988
The Security Council,
Having considered the letter dated 5 July 1988 from the Acting Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran addressed to the President of the Security Council,"9
Having heard the statement of the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati'0 and the statement of the representative of the United States of America, Vice-President George Bush,70
Deeply distressed that a civil aircraft of Iran Airscheduled international flight 655-was destroyed in flight over the Strait of Hormuz by a missile fired from the United States warship USS Vincennes,
Stressing the need for a full explanation of the facts of the incident based upon impartial investigation,
Gravely disturbed at the increasing exacerbation of tension in the Gulf region,
l. Expresses its deep distress at the downing of an Iranian civil aircraft by a missile fired from a United States warship and profound regret over the tragic loss of innocent lives;
2. Expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic incident and to the peoples and Governments of their countries of origin;
3. Welcomes the decision of the International Civil Aviation Organization, in response to the request of the Islamic Republic of Iran, "to institute an immediate factfinding investigation to determine all relevant facts and technical aspects of the chain of events relating to the flight and destruction of the aircraft" and welcomes the announcements by the United States of America and by the Islamic Republic of Iran of their decisions to co-operate with the International Civil Aviation Organization investigation;

68 See Official Records of the Security Council. Forty-third Year. Supplement.for July, AuRust and September 1988.
17

"' Ibid. , document S/19981 . 70 /bid, Forty-third Year. 2818th meeting.

4. Urges all parties to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed at Chicago in 1944,71 to observe to the fullest extent, in all circumstances, the international rules and practices concerning the safety of civil aviation, in particular those of the annexes to that Convention, in order to prevent the recurrence of incidents of the same nature;
71 United Nations. Treaty Series. vol. 15.·No. 102.

5. Stresses the need for a full and rapid implementation of its resolution 598 (1987) of 20 July 1987, as the only basis for a comprehensive, just, honourable and durable settlement of the conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq, and reaffirms its support to the efforts of the Secretary-General to implement that resolution, committing itself to work with hin in the development of his implementation plan.
Adopted unanimously at the 2821 st meeting.

THE SITUATION CONCERNING WESTERN SAHARA12

Decision
At its 2826th meeting, on 20 September 1988, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled "The situation concerning Western Sahara".
Resolution 621 (1988)
of 20 September 1988
The Security Council, Having heard a report by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on his mission of good offices, 71 pursued jointly with the current Chairman of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, in conformity with General Assembly resolution 40/50
72 Resolutions or decisions on this question were also adopted by the Council in 1975.
73 See Official Records of the Security Council. Forty-third ~ar, 2826th meeting.

of 2 December 1985., with a view to settling the question of Western Sahara,
Taking note of the agreement in principle given by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Frente Popular para la Liberaci6n de Saguia el-Harnra y de Rio de Oro on 30 August 1988 to the joint proposals of the Secretary-General and the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity,
Anxious to support these efforts with a view to the holding of a referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, organized and supervised by the United Nations in co-operation with the Organization of African Unity,
1. Decides to authorize the Secretary-General to ap· point a special representative for Western Sahara;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to it as soon as possible a report on the holding of a referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara and on ways and means to ensure the organization and supervision of such a referendum by the United Nations in co-operation with the Organization of African Unity.
Adopted unanimously at th<' 2826th meeting.

THE SITUATION IN NAMIBIA,.

Decision
At its 2827th meeting, on 29 September 1988, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled "The situation in Namibia: letter dated 27 September 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/20203)"."
74 Resolutions or decisions on this question were also adopted by the Council in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975. 1976, 1978. 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1987.
" See Official Records of the Security Council. Fortv-third Year. Supplement for July. Au!>:ust and September 1988.

At the same meeting, the President made the following statement on behalf of the members of the Council:'·
"Ten years ago, on 29 September 1978, the Security Council adopted resolution 435 (1978) in order to ensure an early independence of Namibia through free elections under the supervision and control of the United Nations.
"The members of the Council express grave concern that such a long time after the adoption of resolution 435 (1978) the Namibian people have not yet attained their self-determination and independence.
76 S/20208.

18

