16 April 1997
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
At the 3768th meeting of the Security Council, held on 16
April 1997 in connection with the Council's consideration of the
item entitled "The situation between Iraq and Kuwait", the
President of the Security Council made the following statement on
behalf of the Council:
"The Security Council has considered the case of an Iraqi
aircraft which flew from Baghdad, Iraq to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
on 9 April 1997 and then departed.
"The Government of Iraq, in a letter dated 3 February
1997, had requested clearance from the Committee established
pursuant to resolution 661 (1990) for the release of 50
million dollars from the frozen Iraqi assets being held in
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to cover
pilgrimage costs and requested the agreement of the Committee
for flights by Iraqi Airways to transport those pilgrims to
Jeddah, during the holy pilgrimage season.
"The Committee answered in a letter dated 3 March 1997
that it would be in a better position to consider the release
of the frozen Iraqi funds if a request was submitted by a
country which was willing to release such funds to meet the
pilgrimage costs.
"The Government of Iraq proceeded with this particular
flight without specific consultation with the Committee. Such
consultation would have allowed the Committee to consider the
matter and to determine whether the flight required Committee
approval under the relevant resolutions.
"The Security Council draws to the attention of Member
States their obligations under resolutions 661 (1990), 670
(1990) and other relevant resolutions.
"The Council underlines its respect for the obligation of
Muslims to perform the Hajj pilgrimage."