THE SITUATION BETWEEN IRAN AND IRAQDecisionsOn 16 January 1987, after consultations, the Presidentmade the following statement on behalf of the members ofthe Council:""In consultations, 1 have been authorized to make thefollowing statement on behalf of the members of theCouncil:"The members of the Security Council are dismayedand profoundly concerned by the fact that, in theperiod which has elapsed since the statement made bythe President of the Council on 22 December 1986,'hostilities between the Islamic Republic of Iran andIraq have intensified and the risk that the armedconflict, now more than six years old. may pose afurther threat to the security of the region has increased."The large-scale military operations which havetaken place since the end of last December, and whichcontinue at this time, and the parties' repeated allegationsof serious and recurrent violations of the normsof international humanitarian law and other laws ofarmed conflict clearly indicate the considerable escalationin recent weeks of this conflict, which has takenthe lives of countless persons, both combatants andcivilians, and has caused grievous human suffering andheavy material losses. The members of the Councilreiterate their serious concern over the widening of theconflict through increased attacks on purely civiliantargets."'In view of this critical situation, the members ofthe Council, recalling the statements made on behalf ofthe Council on 21 March" and 22 December 1986,again issue an urgent appeal to the parties to complywith Council resolutions 582 (1986) and 588 (1986).In this context, they appreciate the efforts made by theSecretary-General and urge him to persevere in thoseefforts."The Security Council, on which the Members ofthe United Nations have conferred primary responsibilityfor the maintenance of international peace andsecurity, will remain seized of the situation and willcontinue to make every effort to bring about thecessation of hostilities and the resolution of the conflictby peaceful means in accordance with the Charter.'"On 14 May 1987, after consultations, the President madethe following statement on behalf of the members of theCouncil:*'"The members of the Security Council, seized with thecontinuing conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iranand Iraq, have considered the report of the mission ofspecialists dispatched by the Secretary-General to investigateallegations of the use of chemical weapons in theconflict.^"Deeply dismayed by the unanimous conclusions ofthe specialists that there has been repeated use ofchemical weapons against Iranian forces by Iraqi forces,that civilians in Iran also have been injured by chemicalweapons, and that Iraqi military personnel have sustainedinjuries from chemical warfare agents, they again stronglycondemn the repeated use of chemical weapons inopen violation of the Geneva Protocol of 1925 " in whichthe use of chemical weapons in war is clearly prohibited."Recalling the statements made by the President of theCouncil on 30 March 1984," 25 April 1985"' and21 March 1986,-' they again emphatically demand thatthe provisions of the Geneva Protocol be strictly respectedand observed."They also condemn the prolongation of the conflictwhich, in addition to violations of internationalhumanitarian law, continues to exact an appalling toll ofhuman life, to cause heavy material damage in the twoStates, and to endanger peace and security in the region."They express grave concern over the dangers of anextension of the conflict to other States in the region."They reiterate their call for respect for the territorialintegrity of all States in the region."They reaffirm resolution 582 (1986) and call on bothparties to co-operate with the efforts of the SecurityCouncil to open the way to an early settlement of theconflict on the basis of justice and honour."They express support for the Secretary-General'sefforts to restore peace to the peoples of Iran and Iraq andcall on both States to respond positively to his efforts."At its 2750th meeting, on 20 July 1987, the Councildecided to invite the representative of Iraq to participate,without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "Thesituation between Iran and Iraq".Resolution 598 (1987)of 20 July 1987The Security Council,Reaffirming its resolution 582 (1986),Deeply concerned that, despite its calls for a cease-fire,the conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraqcontinues unabated, with further heavy loss of human lifeand material destruction,Deploring the initiation and continuation of the conflict," Resolutions or decisions on this question were also adopted bv theCouncil in 1980. 1982, 1983. 1984. 1985 and 1986;'S/I86I0.-4 See Resolutions ami Decisions of the Senility Council. I9H6, p. 13.-"•Ibid., p. 12.* S/18863.: i Official Records of the Security Council, h'oity-second Year. Supplementfor April, May and June 19H7, document S/18852.* League of Nations. Treaty Series, vol. XCIV f 1929). No. 2138.-v See Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council. 19X4. p. 10."'Ibid.. 1985, pp. 6 and 75Deploring also the bombing of purely civilian populationcentres, attacks on neutral shipping or civilian aircraft, theviolation of international humanitarian law and other lawsof armed conflict, and, in particular, the use of chemicalweapons contrary to obligations under the 1925 GenevaProtocol,-"Deeply concerned that further escalation and widening ofthe conflict may take place,Determined to bring to an end all military actionsbetween Iran and Iraq,Convinced that a comprehensive, just, honourable anddurable settlement should be achieved between Iran andIraq,Recalling the provisions of the Charter of the UnitedNations, and in particular the obligation of all MemberStates to settle their international disputes by peacefulmeans in such a manner that international peace andsecurity and justice are not endangered,Determining that there exists a breach of the peace asregards the conflict between Iran and Iraq,Acting under Articles 39 and 40 of the Charter,1. Demands that, as a first step towards a negotiatedsettlement, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq observe animmediate cease-fire, discontinue all military actions onland, at sea and in the air, and withdraw all forces to theinternationally recognized boundaries without delay;2. Requests the Secretary-General to dispatch a team ofUnited Nations observers to verify, confirm and supervisethe cease-fire and withdrawal and further requests theSecretary-General to make the necessary arrangements inconsultation with the Parties and to submit a report thereonto the Security Council;3. Urges that prisoners-of-war be released and repatriatedwithout delay after the cessation of active hostilitiesin accordance with the Third Geneva Convention of12 August 1949;"4. Calls upon Iran and Iraq to co-operate with theSecretary-General in implementing this resolution and inmediation efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just andhonourable settlement, acceptable to both sides, of alloutstanding issues, in accordance with the principles containedin the Charter of the United Nations;5. Calls upon all other States to exercise the utmostrestraint and to refrain from any act which may lead tofurther escalation and widening of the conflict, and thus tofacilitate the implementation of the present resolution;6. Requests the Secretary-General to explore, in consultationwith Iran and Iraq, the question of entrusting animpartial body with inquiring into responsibility for theconflict and to report to the Council as soon as possible:7. Recognizes the magnitude of the damage inflictedduring the conflict and the need for reconstruction efforts,with appropriate international assistance, once the conflictis ended and, in this regard, requests the Secretary-Generalto assign a team of experts to study the question ofreconstruction and to report to the Council;8. Further requests the Secretary-General to examine.in consultation with Iran and Iraq and with other States ofthe region, measures to enhance the security and stability ofthe region;9. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Councilinformed on the implementation of this resolution;10. Decides to meet again as necessary to considerfurther steps to ensure compliance with this resolution.Adopted unanimously at the2750th meeting.DecisionAt its 2779th meeting, on 24 December 1987, theCouncil proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled"The situation between Iran and Iraq".At the same meeting, the President made the followingstatement:""After consultations, I have been authorized to makethe following statement on behalf of the members of theCouncil:" 'The members of the Security Council take note ofthe assessment made by the Secretary-General to theCouncil on 10 December 1987 following his consultationswith the emissaries of the Islamic Republic ofIran and Iraq concerning the implementation of resolution598 (1987) as well as of his request for a fresh andresolute impulse from the Council. They express theirgrave concern over the slow pace and lack of realprogress in these consultations.'"Determined to bring the conflict to an end as soonas possible, they reaffirm their commitment to resolution598 (1987) as an integrated whole. They alsoreaffirm that the implementation of that resolution isthe only basis for a comprehensive, just, honourableand durable settlement of the conflict.'"They support the Secretary-General's outline plan,as endorsed by the Council, as well as his efforts toimplement resolution 598 (1987)."'They consider it essential that the Secretary-General continue to fulfil the mandate assigned to himby resolution 598 (1987)."They declare their determination, in accordancewith paragraph 10 of resolution 598 (1987), to considerfurther steps to ensure compliance with this resolution."'" United Nations. TreahSeries, vol. 75. No. 972. S/19382.6