ACCESSION NUMBER:00000

FILE ID:96031203.NNE

DATE:03/12/96

TITLE:12-03-96  TEXT: U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL LETTER TO AMBASSADOR EKEUS



TEXT:

(UNSC backs U.N. Weapons Inspectors in Iraq)  (540)



United Nations -- The Security Council March 12 sent a firm letter of

support to Ambassador Rolf Ekeus, chairman of the Special Commission

overseeing the destruction of Iraqi weapons (UNSCOM), reiterating its

position that Iraq must grant U.N. weapons inspectors immediate and

unconditional access to any site.



The council sent the letter to Ekeus after UNSCOM met resistance from

Iraqi officials twice in four days. Council President Legwaila

Legwaila of Botswana read the letter to journalists after a closed

door council meeting and then called in Iraqi Ambassador Nizar Hamdoon

to pass on a copy.



In the letter, the council clearly stated that all 15 council members

were concerned by the incidents and expressed full support for

UNSCOM's work. It stated that both incidents were "clear violations"

of Security Council resolutions.



Following is the text of the Security Council's letter to Rolf Ekeus,

Executive Chairman of the Special Commission overseeing the

destruction of Iraqi weapons:



(Begin text)



The members of the Security Council have followed with concern the

incident described in your letter of 9 March 1996 when immediate

access was not allowed by the Iraqi authorities to a Special

Commission inspection team which sought access to a site in Baghdad

designated for inspection by the Special Commission. The members of

the Council have also learned with concern of the further incident on

11 March 1996 when an inspection team was again not allowed immediate

and unconditional access to a site similarly designated by the Special

Commission. In both cases access was subsequently granted only after

unacceptable delays.



The members of the Council fully support your~ ~~continued efforts and

those of the inspection teams in Iraq on the basis of relevant

Security Council Resolutions. They endorse the contents of your letter

of 9 March 1996. They recall that under paragraph 9 (b) (i) of section

C of Security Council resolution 687 (1991), Iraq is required to

permit "immediate on-site inspection of Iraq's biological, chemical

and missile capabilities, based on Iraq's declarations and the

designation of any additional locations by the Special Commission

itself." By its resolution 707 (1991) the Council also expressly

demanded that Iraq ~"allow the Special Commission, the I~AEA and their

Inspection Teams immediate, unconditional, and unrestricted access to

any and all areas, facilities, equipment, records and means of

transport~~~~~ation which they wish to inspect." The obligation is

furthermore confirmed in the Commission's plan for ongoing monitoring

and verification which was approved in the Security Council resolution

715 (1991).



The members of the Council consider that Iraq's delay in permitting

access to the inspection team currently in Iraq to the site~s

concerned constitutes a clear violation by Iraq of the provisions of

resolutions 687 (1991), 707 (1991) and 715 ~(1991~). The members of

the Council reiterate that the Government of Iraq must allow the

Special Commission inspection team immediate, unconditional and

unrestricted access to all sites designated by the Commission for

inspection.



The members of the Council reiterate their full confidence in the

execution by the Special Commission of the tasks entrusted to it by

the Council.



(End text)

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