LOC10:28
07:28 GMT
Chapter VII
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 24 (KUNA) -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said late
Thursday that Iraq is "very serious" about closing all the pending files "this
year" and that the new Government will "seriously" deal with the issues
between Iraq and Kuwait, in an attempt to get out from under Chapter VII of
the UN Charter.
Addressing the General Assembly at its 65th session, Talabani said "the
most important issue that Iraq is still facing at this stage is getting rid of
the burden of resolutions adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter."
"By reviewing these resolutions, we are working very hard along with our
friends and members of the Security Council in order to settle all of the
issues concerning the situation in Iraq," he said.
At the forefront of these issues, he said, are the remaining restrictions
on Iraq in the field of disarmament, the conclusion of the remaining contracts
of the Oil-for-Food program and finding the right mechanism which would
guarantee the protection of the Iraqi money to replace the Development Fund
for Iraq and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board for Iraq.
"Iraq is very serious about putting an end to these files this year. The
new elected Iraqi Government will also deal seriously with the situation
between Iraq and Kuwait and the related issues, such as the maintenance of
border pillars, compensation and missing Kuwaiti persons and properties," he
vowed.
"We will work together with our Kuwaiti brothers, other stakeholders and
the United Nations in order to reach a settlement that satisfies all parties
without prejudice to our obligations under Security Council resolutions to
which we emphasize our respect and commitment," he insisted.
The situation in Iraq has changed as a result of immense positive
developments that have taken place since the collapse of the former regime and
the end of the dictatorship, he noted. It is drastically different than the
situation at the time the Security Council adopted resolution 661 in 1990.
"For this reason, we see that now is the right time for the Security
Council to act, to review all resolutions adopted against Iraq under Chapter
VII, starting with resolution 661 of 1990, in a way that would restore Iraq to
its international position prior to the adoption of these resolutions,"
Talabani urged.
With regard to the Iranian nuclear issue, he said Iraq believes in the
legitimate right of states to the uses of nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes, a right guaranteed by international conventions, including the NPT.
"We stress the importance of reaching a peaceful solution in dealing with
this issue, and that dialogue and diplomacy are the most successful means to
achieve that goal. On the other hand, any escalation of the matter would hurt
the interests of all parties and put the security of the region at risk," he
warned.
The present political process in Iraq aims to build a federal, democratic,
united Iraq, where citizens work within constitutional institutions and the
rule of law, human rights are protected and in which all components of the
Iraqi people are treated with full respect, he said.
"We give huge importance to our capabilities and qualifications as a
country rich with natural and human resources to achieve these objectives.
However, at this important stage of our people's life, we need political and
economic support, as well as international cooperation in order to stand on a
firm base, which will enable us to move towards a future in which we will be
able, not only to promote our country and our people's stability, progress and
prosperity, but also to contribute fully to the achievement within the
international community of peace, security and sustainable development for all
nations," he concluded
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