PERMANENT MISSION OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT TO THE UNITED NATIONS STATEMENT BY

In the Name of God, The Compassionate, The Merciful

Mr. President,

On behalf of the delegation of the State of Kuwait, it gives me pleasure to extend to Your Excellency warm congratulations on your unanimous election as President of the fifty-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly. We wish you success in steering the deliberations of this landmark session. Let me assure you of my delegation's commitment to work constructively with you towards meeting the common goals of the international community.

I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the remarkable efforts made and prudence shown by your predecessor during his presidency of the last session of the Assembly.

In the same vein, let me set once again on record our great appreciation for the crucial role being played by the Secretary-General, Mr. Koffi Annan, since he assumed the helm at the United Nations. Mr. Annan has been working tirelessly to improve the performance of the Organization's system in the interest of global peace, security and development and to bring it more in line with the ongoing transformations in international relations.

On a membership note, let me now extend a warm welcome to the Republic of Tuvalu which has joined our ranks as the newest member of the United Nations. Tuvalu's admission to the membership is an enhancement to the universal character of the Organization.

Mr. President,

Just a few days ago, the United Nations Headquarters hosted an unprecedented historic gathering of a very large number of heads of State and Government who converged to renew their vows and commitments to the Charter of the United Nations and to reiterate their unwavering belief in the importance and relevance of the United Nations in developing a better world structured on the values of justice, equality, coexistence and interdependence.

The Millennium Summit was a momentous occasion to review and appraise the achievements and failures of the past. It was an occasion to sketch out a vision to face up the challenges of the future. The Final Declaration adopted by the Summit together with the recommendations contained in the Report of the Secretary-General on the role of the United Nations in the twenty-first century are a blueprint for addressing the pressing problems and challenges which will confront mankind in key areas. Chief among those daunting challenges that hamper the fulfillment of peoples' aspirations across the globe in achieving adequate levels of freedom, dignity and peace are: the arms race, rising national and racial conflicts, poverty, ignorance, development, human rights abuses, terrorism, environment decline, the spread of lethal infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria. The list can go on ad infiniturn.

The effects and implications of those problems cut across national borders and surmount any artificial barriers. If anything, this fact confirms the need for consolidated international efforts and a reinforced United Nations role system-wide.

Here we note with some measure of satisfaction the constant attempts made at the global level to cope with these problems. The string of world conferences and special sessions of the General Assembly held in the past few years facilitated the conclusion of several international agreements and treaties covering a range of subjects.

In those meetings, resolve was renewed to rid humanity of the risks of nuclear weapons and the alarming dangers posed by their proliferation to international peace and security. In another important area, the Beijing platform and plan of action were entrenched to enhance the status of women and to ensure their full rights. The Copenhagen Summit with its focus on universal human development was also the subject of a follow-up conference held recently.

In this regard, the State of Kuwait takes pride in the fact that it has maintained number one rank among the Arab countries and number thirty-six in the world in the field of human development as outlined in the Human Development Report for the year 2000 issued by the United Nations Development Program. Kuwait is now determined to pursue its efforts to do even better in the future. A key component of our efforts is our commitment to the implementation of principles and goals enshrined in those international conventions and treaties covering human development and human rights and to employ them at the national level with a view to improve our economic and social conditions. Interaction between the Government and the national assembly, which is the legislative- authority in Kuwait and which is the product of robust parliamentary and democratic life in our country, will certainly accelerate our efforts to fulfill the goals and aspirations of the people of Kuwait.

Mr. President,

Over the decades that span the life of the United Nations, the Organization established a good record of achievements and proved its effectiveness in the resolution of many disputes and conflicts. It also helped in the containment of many problems. Thus, it is really difficult now to imagine a world without the United Nations. The Millennium Summit Declaration reaffirmed that the United Nations is the common house indispensable to the entire family of nations.

That said, and in view of the profound transformations in the world order with the attendant new problems and challenges, it has become imperative to continue to support the Secretary-General and cooperate together to reform the United Nations bodies with a view to streamline them in response to the global changes thus enabling them to respond better to challenges of the future. In this regard, we reaffirm the need to pursue efforts to improve the procedures and methods of work of the Security Council. The purpose is to make the work of the Council more transparent and to increase permanent and non-permanent seats with a view to expand the base of the decision-making process under controls that ensure equitable representation and efficient contribution to the fulfillment by the Council of its functions and responsibilities in terms of maintenance of international peace and security.

At this juncture, we wish to underscore the need for all member states to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time both to the United Nations regular budget and to the peacekeeping operations. This is essential for providing adequate financial resources to the United Nations to carry out its mandates.

Mr. President,

Ten years have elapsed since the Iraqi invasion of the State of Kuwait. That invasion constituted a very serious precedent in international relations since it represented a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the principles and norms of international law. Furthermore, that invasion undermined the security and stability of the Gulf region. Now. Kuwait recalls with pride the firm stand and resolve demonstrated by the international community in condemning, confronting and defeating that aggression. All
that was graphically illustrated in a quick series of resolutions adopted by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter as of the very first day of the invasion on 2 August 1990.

That historic stand by the international community was a remarkable embodiment and consolidation of the collective security concept. It also ushered in a new international order and represented a clear and strong message to any government regime that might pursue a policy of aggression with a view to territorial expansion at the expense of others.

Mr. President,

The reverberations of the sinister Iraqi aggression are still felt by all of us today. The Security Council remains seized of dealing with the repercussions of that aggression. Since the invasion, the Council had to adopt 54 resolutions, in addition to numerous presidential statements in response to the persistent procrastination and equivocation on the part of the Government of Iraq which has constantly sought escape from its international obligations. Indeed, it is regrettable that for ten years now the Government of Iraq has failed to meet its obligations under Security Council resolutions.

Chief requirements yet to be met under the Security Council resolutions relate to the question of Kuwaiti and third-country prisoners and hostages. This humanitarian issue illustrates the tragedy facing hundreds of families who continue to grieve over the unknown fate of their loved ones. Little progress, if any, has been made and we are basically still in square one. Resolutions 686, 687 and 1284 which requested Iraq to cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to account for those prisoners and hostages remain unimplemented. The Government of Iraq persists in showing disregard to the humanitarian nature of this issue by its insistence on not resuming its participation in the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Sub- Committee since it boycott both organs in January 1999. Furthermore, the Government of Iraq also insists on non-cooperation with the High-Level Coordinator, Ambassador Yully Vorontsov, who was appointed by the Secretary-General to facilitate the repatriation of those prisoners and hostages.

Let me seize this occasion to reiterate our call to the Iraqi government to be forthcoming in dealing with this matter given its humanitarian, religious and moral dimensions. This issue must be resolved in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.

Parallel to that, we demand Iraq to cooperate with the High-Level Coordinator, Ambassador Yuliy Vorontsov, in order to complete the return of stolen property, also in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions. The most important assets include military hardware which have been incorporated into Iraq's military system, and the irreplaceable State archives which were qualified by the Security Council as the "State memory". The stubborn resistance by Iraq to return these assets and documents perhaps betrays the non-peaceful intentions still harbored by the Government of Iraq towards Kuwait.

Mr. President,

What is deeply regrettable is that the Government of Iraq not only failed to meet the obligations we outlined earlier but alleges that it had completed the elimination of its weapons of mass destruction while it disallows United Nations inspectors to verify those claims. Also, it claims that it has fulfilled all its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions. In this position, Iraq stands isolated in the face of the United Nations and the international community along with many regional organizations and groupings who continue to call on Iraq to complete implementation of Security Council resolutions. In his Report on the Work of the Organization this year, the Secretary-General put it most succinctly and eloquently when he said in paragraph 54 and I quote: "Iraq's lack of compliance with various Security Council resolutions continues to be of grave concern."

In addition, the decision adopted by the last ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last June confirms beyond any doubt that there is indeed a single unanimous international and regional position on the need for Iraq to comply with Security Council resolutions. That decision demanded the Government of Iraq, among other things, to continue its efforts to complete the implementation of its commitments under Security Council resolutions in the interest of peace, security and stability in the region. It also welcomed the adoption of Security Council resolution 1284 and invited Iraq to cooperate with UNMOVIC under the Chairmanship of Mr. Hans Blix to implement the provisions of 1284.

The same OIC decision further stressed that Iraq must expressly and clearly admit that its invasion and occupation of the State of Kuwait was a breach of Pan- Arab, Islamic and international treaties and laws; a breach of the Charter of the League of Arab States and the Common Arab Defense Pact; the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Charter of the United Nations. The decision also renewed OIC invitation to Iraq to take the necessary steps to demonstrate its peaceful intentions towards the State of Kuwait and other neighboring countries both in words and deeds.

Against this backdrop, the question we would like now to raise is: Where does Iraq stand now vis-a-vis those resolutions and the sincere calls made upon it by the regional and international organizations? We say sadly that the Government of Iraq for good ten years now has not drawn the right lessons while it continues to reveal its non- peaceful intentions and policies of aggression towards the State of Kuwait and neighboring countries. The remarks made by the Iraqi president and announcements by several ranking Iraqi officials last month together with the unjust Iraqi misinformation campaign against Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are perhaps the most compelling evidence that the Iraqi regime is still determined on pursuing a course of aggression and feels no sense of remorse or contrition over its actions on the 2nd of August 1990. Therefore, Kuwait calls on the international community to maintain its pressure on the Government of Iraq with a view to force it to carry out all relevant Security Council resolutions and to reverse its aggressive attitudes which seriously jeopardize the security and stability of the State of Kuwait and of other states in the region.

Mr. President,

Kuwait, for its part, supports all efforts made by the United Nations to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly people of Iraq with whom we fully sympathize. We therefore welcome the improvements introduced by the 661 Sanctions Committee into the operational methods of the humanitarian program with a view to facilitate and expedite delivery of humanitarian materials to the brotherly people of Iraq. We note with satisfaction the report of the Secretary-General issued last week in which he reported that the humanitarian program succeeded in providing a great measure of assistance to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of Iraq in all sectors despite the many obstacles and difficulties the program faces.

Mr. President,

At the regional level, and in keeping with Kuwait's keen interest in ensuring security and stability in the Arabian Gulf region, and in view of the close relations between the sister state of the United Arab Emirates and the friendly state of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we support the position of the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the question of -the three Emirates islands. We hope that the efforts underway by the adhoc GCC Tripartite Ministerial Committee will prove successful in agreeing on the creation of a bilateral negotiating mechanism towards the resolution of the current dispute over the islands in accordance with the norms and principles of international law and good neighborliness. If negotiations failed to bring about a solution, then the dispute should be referred to the International Court of Justice to resolve it in a satisfactory manner. This will help bolster the mechanisms of reconciliation among the states of the region and expand the channels of mutual interests and confidence building.

In the same vein, we would like to happily welcome the maritime border demarcation agreement between Kuwait and the sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This accord reflects the depth of brotherly relations between our two countries. It also represents a model of civilized cooperation in resolving border disputes and problems. With that outcome, we look forward with interest to the forthcoming talks between Kuwait and the friendly state of the Islamic Republic of Iran to complete the demarcation of maritime borders between the two countries.

We take this occasion to pay tribute to the wisdom shown by the leaders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen which resulted in the signing of an agreement on the demarcation of the border line between the two countries. Certainly, this will consolidate the underpinnings of security and stability in the region.

Mr. President,

In the context of the relentless search for achieving a lasting, just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, Kuwait has been closely following the peace process since its beginning in Madrid in 1991. That drive has seen time and again bumps, risks and deadlocks due to the unwillingness of the Israeli Government to carry out the accords concluded with the Palestinian National Authority within the framework of peace. Israel has so far demonstrated its non-commitment to and non-compliance with the operational principles and framework of the peace process anchored chiefly in Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 together with the land for peace principle. Israeli intransigence aborted the success of the recent Camp David Summit notwithstanding the immense and tireless efforts made by the United States Administration. Here, Kuwait wishes to reiterate its commitment to the Arab position adhering to peace as a strategic option. We also reaffirm our belief that comprehensive and just peace will not be possible to achieve without the restoration by the Palestinian people of their full legitimate rights, including the right of return to the Palestinian refugees pursuant to paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 and the establishment of their independent state on their national territory with AL-Quds Al-Shareef as its capital. We also call for the resumption of negotiations on the Syrian-Israeli track with a view to achieve full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Arab Golan to the border line of 4 June 1967.

At this point, we wish to urge the active and effective facilitators in the peace process, especially the United States of America, to double their efforts and to bring pressure to bear on the Israeli Government to sway them that the only viable path to ending their security fears is by returning to the framework and principles established in the Madrid Conference in order to achieve genuine peace that secures the reinstitution of lawful Arab rights to their legitimate owners.

Still in the Middle East context, we would like to express to our brothers in Lebanon, the President of the Republic, the Government and the people, our warm congratulations on the restoration of national sovereignty over their liberated land after more than twenty years of Israeli occupation which left behind vast destruction and waste in the regions of Southern Lebanon and Western Beka'. By way of contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Southern Lebanon and in the spirit of responsibility emanating from the close brotherly bonds between Kuwait and Lebanon, the Kuwait Fund for Development has extended a cash grant in the amount of 20 million US dollars to finance reconstruction of infrastructure projects in the villages of the South. Kuwait will in the meantime continue its support to the efforts of the Lebanese Government to extend its sovereignty over all its national territory to ensure the safeguard of Lebanon's territorial integrity and independence.

Mr. President,

Kuwait welcomes the positive developments that transpired from the national reconciliation conference of the Somali factions held in Djibouti last month. We pay tribute to the sustained and sincere efforts made by the President of Djibouti, His Excellency Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh. We hope that the other remaining factions will join the reconciliation process in order to shore up the unity and stability of Somalia which, we hope, will eventually bring this country back to the fold of Arab, Islamic and international life. We take this opportunity to stress Kuwait's support for the people of Somalia in their efforts to rebuild the state institutions and to reconstruct the country as a whole.

In the rest of Africa, Kuwait follows with deep sorrow the long-running conflicts and civil wars in a number of countries. These conflicts imperil the peace and stability of many nations and deplete their resources. Despite the fact that the problems of Africa have crept to the focus of global agenda and that the United Nations system has embarked on an in-depth discussion and analysis of the root causes of those problems, the proposed solutions remain blueprints awaiting implementation. The net result remains that this continent continues to be plagued by bitter conflicts and painful political instability which aggravate the already intractable economic and social problems, foremost among them foreign debt, poverty, illiteracy, the spread of contagious diseases like HIV-AIDS and malaria which afflict millions of people and claim the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent victims every year.

It is very sad indeed that many countries in Africa suffer from these problems at a time when the modern world has achieved enormous progress in all areas of human activity. Therefore, we urge the international community to pursue more vigorously its efforts to help in bringing about peace and security to the African nations and to assist them in meeting their economic and social development goals. A vital role can be played by the international aid agencies and financial institutions which we hope will double their reach-out efforts to overcome Africa's daunting problems and challenges. Kuwait believes that any such donor drive will not be effective unless and until the African peoples and governments themselves face up to their responsibilities and dedicate their full energies to lift themselves out of the current misery onto the path of mainstream modern progress. Another key factor in this process is the need to resolve disputes by peaceful means in order to bolster the environment of security and stability and to preserve the direly needed economic resources.

Mr. President,

The world today is witnessing the emergence of several promising economic phenomena created by the immense information and technology revolution which is sweeping the communications and trade sectors. Of particular significance is the formation of many international and regional economic blocs which seek to remove customs restrictions and to liberate trade among nations. In response, many developing countries have made drastic changes in their economic and administrative structures to line themselves up with those transformations and to position themselves in an advantageous fashion vis-a-vis the economic globalization in the hope of achieving better economic growth and progress.

Kuwait thinks that the phenomenon of globalization, notwithstanding its merits, might involve adverse impacts on the economies of the developing countries unless the North-South economic relations are basically restructured on the tenets of mutual benefits, common interests, the need for narrowing the technological gap, and the removal of obstacles that impede the access of developing nations' products to the markets of the developed industrialized countries in the interest of both groups. In the meantime, the developed countries should provide adequate economic assistance to the developing nations with a view to help them bolster their infrastructures and build up their economics on sound and solid foundations.

In this context, Kuwait never wavered to do its fair share in fulfilling all its international and regional obligations towards the developing countries. Our assistance is channeled through international aid agencies, as well as via the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development. The Fund has provided loans and financial grants to many development projects and programes in scores of developing countries. More than 96 countries in all continents benefited from these loans and grants. Within its means, Kuwait will remain committed to help development efforts of the developing countries. This emanates from our belief that overall development and widening the base of participation and cooperation are essential for insuring security and stability for all countries of the world.

Mr. President,

We remain hopeful on the eve of the new century that the nations of the world will close ranks in order to fulfill the noble goals and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. We also hope that the Millennium Summit Declaration will be translated into a tangible reality that satisfies the aspirations and visions of the peoples of the world that yearn to live in an atmosphere of security, peace, freedom and justice. A world in which the enormous powers of science and technology will be harnessed to serve the overall human development in all spheres of life and to enrich human civilization. Let us make partnership and cooperation to build a better tomorrow for our children our guiding motto in the new century. Let us pledge ourselves to bequeath to the generations of the next century the trust that we have kept our faith to them, that we have sown for them the seeds of goodness which will yield a better life.


Thank you.

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