Security Council urges cease-fire in Gulf war

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 9

Security Council urges cease-fire in Gulf war

NZPA-Reuter New York The United Nations Security Council called yesterday for a cease-fire in the 22-monlh-old war between Iran and Iraq, an immediate end to all military activity, and withdrawal of forces to internationally recognised boundaries. In its unanimous resolution. the council also decided to send United Nations observers to "verify, confirm and supervise the cease-fire and withdrawal." The resolution was adopted by the 15-nation council as Iran appeared on the verge of carrying the war into Iraqi territory after a recent series of battlefield victories. Iran is expected to ignore the resolution, and council members said privately that without Iran's co-operation, it would be virtually impossible for United Nations observers to function. Iran's permanent United Nations representative. Said Rajaie

Khorassani. made no request to take part in the council meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes. He told a news conference at the weerk-end that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Government had rejected any United Nations involvement in the conflict. He said this would amount to aiding Iraq in the border dispute between the two Gulf States. There also appeared little likelihood at present that Iran would accept another provision of the resolution calling for “mediation efforts to be continued in a coordinated manner" through the United Nations Secre-tary-General (Mr Javier Perez de Cuellar). In addition to total Iraqi withdrawal. Iran has demanded reparations for war damage and condemnation of the Iraqi President (Mr Saddam Hussein) as an aggressor. Unsuccessful mediation attempts have been made, al-

most since the war erupted in September. 1980. by a United Nations special emissary. Olof Palme, a former Swedish Prime Minister, and by delegations from the Nonaligned Movement and the Islamic Conference Organisation. The council also requested all States to refrain from actions that could contribute to the continuation of the conflict. Mr Perez de Cuellar was asked to report to the council within three months, on the implementation of the resolution. The Iraqi Foreign Minister (Dr Saadoun Hammadi). addressing the council after yesterday's vote, said that Iraqi troops had withdrawn late last month to the border between the two countries, even though Iran had asserted that that was a lie.

“We sincerely hope that the Iranians ’ will soon respond favourably to the call of reason and put an end to their policies to prolong the war." he said.