THE SITUATION BETWEEN IRAN AND IRAQ"

Decisions
On 16 January 1987. after consultations. the President made the following statement on behalf of the members of the Council:''
"In consultations, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the members of the Council:
'"The members of the Security Council are dismayed and profoundly concerned by the fact that. in the period which has elapsed since the statement made by the President of the Council on 22 December 1986." hostilities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq have intensified and the risk that the armed conflict, now more than six years old. may pose a further threat to the security of the region has increased.
"The large-scale military operations which have taken place since the end of last December. and which continue at this time, and the parties' repeated allegations of serious and recurrent violations of the norms of international humanitarian law and other laws of armed conflict clearly indicate the considerable escalation in recent weeks of this conflict, which has taken the Jives of countless persons, both combatants and civilians, and has caused grievous human suffering and heavy material losses. The members of the Council reiterate their serious concern over the widening of the conflict through increased attacks on purely civilian targets.
'"In view of this critical situation, the members of the Council, recalling the statements made on behalf of the Council on 21 March'' and 22 December 1986. again issue an urgent appeal to the parties to comply with Council resolutions 582 ( 1986) and 588 ( 1986). In this context, they appreciate the efforts made by the Secretary-General and urge him to persevere in those efforts.
'"The Security Council. on which the Members of the United Nations have conferred primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, will remain seized of the situation and will continue to make every effort to bring about the cessation of hostilities and the resolution of the contlict by peaceful means in accordance with the Charter."'

gate allegations of the use of chemical weapons in the conflict."
"Deeply dismayed by the unanimous conclusions of the specialists that there has been repeated use of chemical weapons against Iranian forces by Iraqi forces, that civilians in Iran also have been injured by chemical weapons. and that Iraqi military personnel have sustained injuries from chemical warfare agents. they again strongly condemn the repeated use of chemical weapons in open violation of the Geneva Protocol of 1925'" in which the use of chemical weapons in war is clearly prohibited.
"Recalling the statements made by the President of the Council on 30 March 1984,"' 25 April 1985"' and 21 March 1986,'' they again emphatically demand that the provisions of the Geneva Protocol be strictly respected and observed.
"They also condemn the prolongation of the conflict which, in addition to violations of international humanitarian law, continues to exact an appalling toll of human life, to cause heavy material damage in the two States, and to endanger peace and security in the region.
"They express grave concern over the dangers of an extension of the conflict to other States in the region.
"They reiterate their call for respect for the territorial integrity of all States in the region.
"They reaffirm resolution 582 ( 1986) and call on both parties to co-operate with the efforts of the Security Council to open the way to an early settlement of the conflict on the basis of justice and honour.
"They express support for the Secretary-General's efforts to restore peace to the peoples of Iran and Iraq and call on both States to respond positively to his efforts."
At its 2750th meeting. on 20 July 1987, the Council decided to invite the representative of Iraq to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "The situation between Iran and Iraq".
Resolution 598 (1987)

of 20 .July 1987

On 14 May 1987, after consultations. the President made the following statement on behalf of the members of the Council:'"
"The members of the Security Council. seized with the continuing conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq, have considered the report of the mission of specialists dispatched by the Secretary-General to investi-

" Resolutions or decision~ on this question were abo aJoptcu hv the

Council in 1980. 1982. 1983. 1984. 19!15 anJ 19!16.

·

'·' S/18610.

"See Re.wlutions and Decisions <!(/he Securitr Council. IY86. p. 13.

''Ibid.. p. 12.

"'S/18!!63.

The Security Council, Re,!tfirming its resolution 582 ( 1986), Deeply concerned that, despite its calls for a cease-fire, the contlict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq continues unabated, with further heavy loss of human life and material destruction, Deploring the initiation and continuation of the conflict.
" Official Records <!(the Semritr Council. Fortr-wmnd Yt·ar. SupplementfiJr April. May wrd June 1987, document S/IX!l52.
''League of Nations. 7imty Series. vol. XCIV (1929). No. 213!!.
,. See Re.mlutimrs and Decisions of the S<'curitr Council. 1984. p. 10.
"Ibid.. 1985. pp. 6 and 7.

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DeplorinR also the bombing of purely civilian population centres. attacks on neutral shipping or civilian aircraft, the violation of international humanitarian law and other laws of armed conflict, and, in particular, the use of chemical weapons contrary to obligations under the 1925 Geneva ProtocoI,"
Deeply concerned that further escalation and widening of the conflict may take place,
Determined to bring to an end all military actions between Iran and Iraq,
Convinced that a comprehensive, just, honourable and durable settlement should be achieved between Iran and Iraq,
Recalling the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular the obligation of all Member States to settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered,
Determining that there exists a breach of the peace as regards the conflict between Iran and Iraq,
Acting under Articles 39 and 40 of the Charter,
I. Demands that, as a first step towards a negotiated settlement, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq observe an immediate cease-fire, discontinue all military actions on land, at sea and in the air, and withdraw all forces to the internationally recognized boundaries without delay;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to dispatch a team of United Nations observers to verify, confirm and supervise the cease-fire and withdrawal and further requests the Secretary-General to make the necessary arrangements in consultation with the Parties and to submit a report thereon to the Security Council;
3. Urges that prisoners-of-war be released and repatriated without delay after the cessation of active hostilities in accordance with the Third Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949;"
4. Calls upon Iran and Iraq to co-operate with the Secretary-General in implementing this resolution and in mediation efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and honourable settlement, acceptable to both sides. of all outstanding issues, in accordance with the principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations;
5. Calls upon all other States to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any act which may lead to further escalation and widening of the conflict. and thus to facilitate the implementation of the present resolution;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to explore. in consultation with Iran and Iraq. the question of entrusting an impartial body with inquiring into responsibility for the conflict and to report to the Council as soon as possible;
7. Recognizes the magnitude of the damage inflicted during the conflict and the need for reconstruction efforts, with appropriate international assistance. once the contlict is ended and, in this regard. requests the Secretary-General

to assign a team of experts to study the question of reconstruction and to report to the Council;
8. Further requests the Secretary-General to examine. in consultation with Iran and Iraq and with other States of the region, measures to enhance the security and stability of the region;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council informed on the implementation of this resolution;
10. Decides to meet again as necessary to consider further steps to ensure compliance with this resolution.
Atlopt(·d 11111111imou.1'/\· 111 the 2750tlr meetill!i.
Decision
At its 2779th meeting, on 24 December 1987, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled "The situation between Iran and Iraq".
At the same meeting, the President made the following statement:''
"After consultations, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the members of the Council:
"'The members of the Security Council take note of the assessment made by the Secretary-General to the Council on I0 December 1987 following his consultations with the emissaries of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq concerning the implementation of resolution 598 ( 1987) as well as of his request for a fresh and resolute impulse from the Council. They express their grave concern over the slow pace and lack of real progress in these consultations.
'"Determined to bring the conflict to an end as soon as possible, they reaffirm their commitment to resolution 598 ( 1987) as an integrated whole. They also reaffirm that the implementation of that resolution is the only basis for a comprehensive, just, honourable and durable settlement of the conflict.
'"They support the Secretary-General's outline plan, as endorsed by the Council, as well as his efforts to implement resolution 598 ( 1987).
"'They consider it essential that the SecretaryGeneral continue to fulfil the mandate assigned to him by resolution 598 ( 1987).
"'They declare their determination, in accordance with paragraph I0 of resolution 598 ( 1987), to consider further steps to ensure compliance with this resolution.'"

" United Nations. Trean· Serie.1·. vol. 75. No. 972.

'' S/19382.

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