DATE=9/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ / KUWAIT (L-O)
NUMBER=2-266235
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO: At the United Nations today (Thursday), 
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-
Jaber Al-Sabah made a strong plea for the return of 
more than 600 persons who Kuwait says disappeared 
following Iraq's 1991 invasion and subsequent retreat. 
Correspondent Barbara Schoetzau reports from New York


TEXT: Addressing the U-N Millennium summit, Mr. Sabah 
said there is no justification for any form of human 
slavery or denial of human rights.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister said the United Nations 
must remain the primary vehicle for the resolution of 
international disputes and its rulings should be 
respected by all its members.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mr. Sabah said 
Kuwaitis hold the international community accountable 
for the release of the missing Kuwaitis.

//// SABAH ACT ////

Within this context, we cannot tolerate the abduction 
of innocent hostages by a totalitarian regime which 
continues to hold them for political bargaining. The 
families of those detainees continue to anguish over 
the plight of their relatives while the hostages 
themselves languish in pain.

/// END ACT ///

Iraq denies it is holding any Kuwaitis and 
countercharges that Kuwait has Iraqi prisoners of war.



Iraq's deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, did not 
respond directly to the charge in his U-N address. 
Instead, he took the occasion to condemn the sanctions 
the United Nations imposed against Iraq after its 
invasion of Kuwait. Mr. Aziz said the global 
organization has failed to represent all of its 
members because it is dominated by a handful of 
powerful states. 

/// AZIZ ACT ////

This situation was aggravated during the 1990s as a 
result of the United States hegemony and domination 
over the international organization for the benefit of 
its imperialist objectives.

//// END ACT ////

Mr. Aziz suggested the U-N decision-making process 
should be reformed, starting with a restructuring of 
the Security Council to reflect the will of all member 
states. (Signed)

NEB/NYC/BJS/ENE/PLM
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07-Sep-2000 16:40 PM EDT (07-Sep-2000 2040 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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