August 3, 2010UN's Ban Ki-moon urges Iraq, once again, to "confirm" commitment to UN-demarcated Kuwait-Iraq border
United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged the new Iraqi Government, once formed, to "confirm" its commitment to resolution 833 on the inviolability of the Iraq-Kuwait border and give it its "urgent attention" if it wants to get out from under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Among the matters that require "urgent attention is the need for the new Government of Iraq to do its utmost to fulfill its commitment to resolution 833 and Iraq's land and maritime borders with Kuwait," Ban said in his quarterly report to the Security Council on the work of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
"Progress is also essential with respect to the Iraq-Kuwait Boundary Maintenance Project and missing Kuwaiti national and properties. I believe such actions would encourage the Security Council to consider the steps that need to be taken for the full normalization of Iraq's international status," Ban added in his 14-page report.
In the meantime, Ban expressed regret that Iraq "has not responded to repeated (UN) requests" to convey its readiness to continue the Iraq-Kuwaiti Boundary Maintenance Project mandated by resolution 833, and to contribute its share of the additional funding of USD 600,000 for that purpose.
"The commitment of the Government of Iraq and the contribution of its share of the funding are necessary to sustain the project following the repeated postponement of the final phase of the maintenance work to be implemented by the Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO)," he said.
Resolution 833 of 1993 demanded that Iraq and Kuwait respect the inviolability of the international boundary, as approved by the UN Iraq-Kuwait Boundary Demarcation Commission, and the right to navigational access.
At the same time, Ban expressed concern at the delays to form a new government in Iraq.
"I am concerned that continued delays in the government formation process are contributing to a growing sense of uncertainty in the country. Not only does this risk undermining confidence in the political process, but elements opposed to Iraq's democratic transition may try to exploit the situation," he warned.
"In this context, I urge all political bloc leaders to work together through an inclusive and broadly participatory process to end the present impasse," he added.
Once the new government is formed, he said, "it is imperative" that it, along with the Parliament, "make national reconciliation a priority and begin to address the many outstanding political and constitutional challenges facing the country.
These, he noted, include Arab-Kurdish relations as they relate to the disputed areas, revenue-sharing, the adoption of a legislation related to hydrocarbons, relations between the federal, regional and provincial government, the constitutional review process and the strengthening of institutions of governance and the rule of law.
On the overall human rights situation in Iraq, Ban said "I am concerned," stating the ongoing violence and targeted assassinations against government officials, newly elected Parliamentarians, media representatives, minority and ethnic and religious groups.
Ban also expressed concern that the UN personnel continue to work in an "extremely complex operating environment," warning that the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq at the end of this month "will inevitably have an impact on the UN." He revealed that UNAMI is identifying "new and alternative" arrangements to ensure and enhance its operational capacity in the future.
"This will necessitate strong financial support from Member States in order for the UN to fully implement its mandate in Iraq," he said.
The council is expected to discuss this report and be briefed tomorrow Wednesday by Ban's special representative in Iraq Ad Melkert. It is also expected to adopt a resolution Thursday extending UNAMI mandate for one more year. Its current mandate expires on August 7th.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2104475&Language=en
United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged the new Iraqi Government, once formed, to "confirm" its commitment to resolution 833 on the inviolability of the Iraq-Kuwait border and give it its "urgent attention" if it wants to get out from under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Among the matters that require "urgent attention is the need for the new Government of Iraq to do its utmost to fulfill its commitment to resolution 833 and Iraq's land and maritime borders with Kuwait," Ban said in his quarterly report to the Security Council on the work of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
"Progress is also essential with respect to the Iraq-Kuwait Boundary Maintenance Project and missing Kuwaiti national and properties. I believe such actions would encourage the Security Council to consider the steps that need to be taken for the full normalization of Iraq's international status," Ban added in his 14-page report.
In the meantime, Ban expressed regret that Iraq "has not responded to repeated (UN) requests" to convey its readiness to continue the Iraq-Kuwaiti Boundary Maintenance Project mandated by resolution 833, and to contribute its share of the additional funding of USD 600,000 for that purpose.
"The commitment of the Government of Iraq and the contribution of its share of the funding are necessary to sustain the project following the repeated postponement of the final phase of the maintenance work to be implemented by the Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO)," he said.
Resolution 833 of 1993 demanded that Iraq and Kuwait respect the inviolability of the international boundary, as approved by the UN Iraq-Kuwait Boundary Demarcation Commission, and the right to navigational access.
At the same time, Ban expressed concern at the delays to form a new government in Iraq.
"I am concerned that continued delays in the government formation process are contributing to a growing sense of uncertainty in the country. Not only does this risk undermining confidence in the political process, but elements opposed to Iraq's democratic transition may try to exploit the situation," he warned.
"In this context, I urge all political bloc leaders to work together through an inclusive and broadly participatory process to end the present impasse," he added.
Once the new government is formed, he said, "it is imperative" that it, along with the Parliament, "make national reconciliation a priority and begin to address the many outstanding political and constitutional challenges facing the country.
These, he noted, include Arab-Kurdish relations as they relate to the disputed areas, revenue-sharing, the adoption of a legislation related to hydrocarbons, relations between the federal, regional and provincial government, the constitutional review process and the strengthening of institutions of governance and the rule of law.
On the overall human rights situation in Iraq, Ban said "I am concerned," stating the ongoing violence and targeted assassinations against government officials, newly elected Parliamentarians, media representatives, minority and ethnic and religious groups.
Ban also expressed concern that the UN personnel continue to work in an "extremely complex operating environment," warning that the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq at the end of this month "will inevitably have an impact on the UN." He revealed that UNAMI is identifying "new and alternative" arrangements to ensure and enhance its operational capacity in the future.
"This will necessitate strong financial support from Member States in order for the UN to fully implement its mandate in Iraq," he said.
The council is expected to discuss this report and be briefed tomorrow Wednesday by Ban's special representative in Iraq Ad Melkert. It is also expected to adopt a resolution Thursday extending UNAMI mandate for one more year. Its current mandate expires on August 7th.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2104475&Language=en
