YouSaid · the spoken record

Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

lines on the record: 55
first: 1998-09-24
most recent: 2003-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Let us join hands to fulfil our common vision of a life in which law and order prevail — a life governed by the values and principles of freedom, justice and equality for all; a life that upholds the concept of partnership and cooperation as the shortest path to security, stability and peace in the world.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Our channels will either include the United Nations programmes, funds, agencies and other multilateral organizations or the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development, which has a sterling track record of aiding and financing a wide range of development projects and programmes in more than 100 developing countries across the globe. As we are still in the early years of a new century, it is our hope that all of us will draw the right lessons from our collective experiences of the past. Only through common action can humankind face the challenges of the present in order to fashion a better future that offers future generations the hope of living in freedom and dignity.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“These include, inter alia, adequate flows of financial and technical aid to the developing countries; the alleviation of the debt burden and cancellation of the debts of the least developed countries; the removal of customs restrictions on flows of goods from the developing countries into world markets; and an exchange of information and expertise that would help developing countries to build and modernize their national institutions. To this end, Kuwait, for its part, reaffirms its commitment to continue to provide development and financial assistance to developing countries.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“In an attempt to face up to these challenges, which hamper world economic growth, a series of United Nations meetings were convened to address the impediments to global economic growth. Thus, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in South Africa, and the International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Mexico, developed a framework of action for ensuring equity and fair interdependence and cooperation between the North and the South. Also, specific guidelines and obligations were set for all stakeholders to achieve a more equitable balance in economic relations. At this juncture, we would therefore call on the developed nations to meet their partnership obligations.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Furthermore, Kuwait, in cooperation and coordination with the United Nations and the regional players, will explore the activation and development of regional security arrangements with interested countries of the region. Today’s world is different in many ways from the world of several years ago. The trade and economic boundaries of States are rapidly disappearing. Cultural interaction and relations among various societies is expanding as a result of the immense achievements in information and communications technologies. However, such technologies have had some negative implications that cannot be brushed aside. Thus, we are now seeing an increasing marginalization of the majority of the developing countries, whose economies now suffer from a growing set of problems that jeopardize their prospects for meaningful development.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“At the regional level, and in line with Kuwait’s compliance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, especially Article 2, which stresses the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes, we call on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Arab Emirates to maintain their mutual visits and to deepen bilateral talks with a view to resolving their dispute over the three islands. It is our hope that the resolution of the current dispute will strengthen relations between the two countries and the consolidation of security and stability in the region. In this regard, Kuwait, in its forthcoming chairmanship of the Gulf Cooperation Council, will spare no effort to strengthen all aspects of political, security and economic cooperation among the States of the region.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Recent developments on the ground prove that these policies and practices will not fulfil Israel’s goals. Rather, they will fuel the sentiments of hostility towards Israel. They will also reinforce the sense of despair and undermine the Palestinians’ prospects for living in freedom and dignity, thus forcing them to pursue the course of national struggle and resistance of occupation. Furthermore, Israel must ultimately withdraw from all the Arab territories it occupied in 1967 as a prerequisite for building the just, permanent and comprehensive peace for which we all yearn.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“In the same context, we demand that the Israeli Government fulfil its obligations and pledges set out in relevant United Nations resolutions, primarily Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973); the land for peace formula; the bilateral accords signed with the Palestinian Authority in the context of the peace 32 process; and the road map in all its provisions and requirements. In addition, Israel must abandon forthwith its policies of isolating local communities and denying them food supplies, incursions, destruction of physical infrastructures, demolition of homes and arbitrary round-ups and arrests. Israel must also stop its construction of the separation wall and of settlements. It should also release all Palestinian detainees.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“While Kuwait renews its commitment to fully supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people to attain all their full legitimate political rights, including the establishment of their independent State on their national territory, with Jerusalem as its capital, we demand that the Israeli Government commit itself to implementing the resolution adopted last Friday by the General Assembly at its tenth emergency special session and reverse its decision to remove the President of the Palestinian Authority.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Kuwait is following with grave concern the recent escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Despite the intense international efforts led by the Quartet, which yielded the road map for the settlement of the conflict within a specific time frame with a view to the attainment by the Palestinian people of their legitimate political rights, Israel persists in its policy of backtracking on its commitments. In fact, it deliberately undermines every promising initiative while paying no heed to the potential consequences of the perpetuation of the cycle of violence, rising tension and instability throughout the region. Against this backdrop, the question of deploying an international monitoring force to ensure scrupulous compliance with ceasefire arrangements is more pressing than ever.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Kuwait fully endorses all measures taken by the Saudi Government in its drive to eliminate terrorism and to consolidate regional security and stability. In the same context, Kuwait will maintain its efforts, in coordination with the States of the region and the United Nations, to fight terrorism and to further strengthen the measures it has enforced in order completely to fulfil its international obligations, especially those set forth in Security Council resolution 1373 (2001). Thirty-six years have passed since the oppressive Israeli occupation of the land of the Palestinian people, who continue to suffer an ongoing decline in their economic and social living conditions as a result of Israel’s policies and practices, which contravene international and humanitarian laws and norms.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“To that end, the universal signature, endorsement and enforcement by all Member States of the 12 international agreements relating to terrorism would represent a real breakthrough in ensuring the deployment of the most effective means to contain and eliminate this pandemic. As Kuwait firmly reiterates its categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as its renunciation of all acts of violence and extremism, it condemns the vicious orchestrated campaign being waged against a sister State — the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — by some American media agencies. Instead, we commend Saudi Arabia for its concrete and significant contributions to the global campaign against terrorism, bearing in mind the fact that Saudi Arabia itself has been the target of terrorists and has suffered as a result.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“These are horrendous acts of terrorism that have created new realities on the international scene, including a universal conviction that terrorism in its pernicious manifestations is actually an evil not exclusively associated with one nation, religion or culture. All of us also realize that the fight against this evil is an international responsibility to be borne by all Member States, not just one State or a certain group of States. Therefore, we maintain that the United Nations remains the most appropriate forum for examining this issue and developing the most effective means to combat and eventually to stem it.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The Government and people of Kuwait will stand with Iraq at this stage and we look forward to enjoying good, brotherly relations with a free and united Iraq. We hope that our bilateral relations will be characterized by mutual trust, respect and good- neighbourliness, and governed by established treaties and United Nations resolutions. This will help us leave the past behind and shift our focus onto building a better future that will contribute to enhancing security and stability in the region. Since the tragic events of 11 September 2001 that struck the United States, the phenomenon of terrorism has dominated the global agenda. Kuwait strongly condemned those terrorist acts and all similar crimes committed in other countries.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Kuwait will continue its efforts to ensure the delivery of all kinds of assistance, which we hope will alleviate the suffering of the brotherly people of Iraq. Now it is our fervent hope that Iraq will safely cross the dire straits through which it is passing and that it will recover its security and stability and will safeguard its independence and territorial integrity. All that will enable the people of Iraq to recommit their 31 resources and energies to their country’s reconstruction so that Iraq will reclaim its legitimate and natural status in the region and in the world. Indeed, we are fully confident that Iraq will overcome the challenges of this critical stage of its history, because it is endowed with enormous natural riches, a profound cultural heritage and skilled human resources.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Immediately after the collapse of the former regime in Iraq, Kuwait reached out to the brotherly people of Iraq with a wide array of humanitarian assistance. Our response came in the spirit of our common Arab and Islamic heritage. Kuwait rushed material and financial aid to several local and international organizations, as well as to the United Nations specialized agencies operating in Iraq. We also contributed directly to the restoration of electrical power, health care, educational services and water supplies to various areas in the country. In addition, Kuwait set up a humanitarian operations centre to facilitate and coordinate relief aid activities and international emergency relief efforts to deliver aid to Iraq.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Let me take this opportunity to say that we welcome that regime’s removal from Iraq. We congratulate the brotherly people of Iraq on their liberation, and we wish them prosperity in a secure and stable Iraq. In addition, Kuwait welcomes the Security Council’s adoption of resolutions 1483 (2003) and 1500 (2003), on Iraq. We also invite United Nations Member States to join the ongoing international efforts to restore security and stability to Iraq. That will help the people of Iraq to rebuild their homeland and to re- establish the political and constitutional institutions of a national Government. In that regard, we emphasize the central and significant role of the United Nations in this political process.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Having said that, I should like to add that Kuwait will pursue its efforts, in coordination with the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Tripartite Commission, the interim Coalition Authority and the citizens of Iraq, to determine the fate of the remaining Kuwaiti and third-country prisoners and detainees. Furthermore, we shall help in hunting down the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice for the crimes they committed against those innocent, defenceless victims. Responding to its national and legal obligations, Kuwait joined the coalition forces in their endeavour to enforce Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. Thus, we provided all possible facilities within the framework of that legal structure, which eventually led to Iraq’s salvation from an oppressive, tyrannical regime.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Those graves contained the remains of thousands of innocent human beings — particularly those of Kuwaitis and third-country nationals — among which 33 were identified by forensic experts as having been prisoners who were executed by shooting in 1991 and 1992. That is further proof of the regime’s brutality and of its total disregard for international treaties and for the norms of international humanitarian law. Above and beyond the crimes themselves, for the past 13 years the regime persistently denied any knowledge of those prisoners’ whereabouts. It also ignored relevant decisions of the Security Council and of other international and regional organizations calling for its cooperation in disclosing the fate of those victims, only aggravating their relatives’ anguish.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“In the meantime, further efforts should focus on enabling the Iraqi people to consolidate national legitimacy and to develop national institutions. In parallel, efforts for Iraq’s reconstruction should be intensified in order to make up for many long years of deprivation, oppression, destruction and mismanagement painfully endured by the Iraqi people under the now-defunct regime that was removed by concerted international action anchored in Security Council resolutions related to Iraq’s liberation. Kuwait strongly condemns the inhuman crimes and practices perpetrated by the previous regime in Iraq. The most recent manifestation of those atrocities was the discovery of numerous mass-grave sites in various parts of the country.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“From this rostrum, I reiterate our condemnation of that terrorist act and of all other similar acts that 30 have occurred in the cities of Baghdad and Najaf. Those attacks claimed the lives of highly respected religious leaders and symbols and other innocent victims. We believe that such acts are aimed not only at the underpinnings of security, of stability and of the people’s sense of confidence, but also at the noble values that we all seek to restore and consolidate in brotherly Iraq. Perhaps the most appropriate and resolute response to such criminal acts is a two-track approach. The United Nations, together with the international Powers interested in the Iraqi question who are also seeking to establish security and stability in Iraq, should stay the course and resolutely face the continuing violence there.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Kofi Annan, for his tireless efforts to bring peace and stability to the various troubled regions throughout the world. Mr. Annan deserves special tribute for his extraordinary performance in maintaining the integrity of the United Nations and its leading role in moving the global agenda forward, despite the enormous challenges and high risks facing the Organization and its personnel. The terrorist attack against the United Nations office in Baghdad last month, which claimed the lives of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and of a number of his colleagues, is yet further clear testimony of those challenging difficulties and immense dangers. Another similar terrorist attack occurred two days ago, and again the target was the United Nations presence in Iraq.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“It gives me pleasure to begin my statement by congratulating the President, both personally and as representative of his country, Saint Lucia, on his election as President of the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session. Given his skills and experience, we are confident that he will competently lead our deliberations as we consider the pressing global issues that face the Organization at this critical time. He may be assured of my delegation’s readiness to fully cooperate with him in order to ensure the successful fulfilment of his mandate. I wish also to pay tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Jan Kavan, for his active and positive role and for his remarkable contribution to the promotion of international cooperation. In addition, I wish to express once again our appreciation and gratitude to the Secretary-General, Mr.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“It would also encourage active participation by all in strengthening the pillars of peace and stability, in consolidating all efforts for the enrichment of human civilization and in the fulfilment of the aspirations of all peoples for peace, security, freedom and justice.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In this regard, Kuwait, for its part, continued to provide economic assistance by financing many development projects in the developing countries through the Kuwait fund for development, despite the adverse impact on our economy of depressed oil prices, which plummeted this year to their lowest levels. Adherence to the noble goals and principles of the United Nations Charter, action in accordance with its provisions and the common endeavour to promote and bolster them are essential for strengthening the United Nations capabilities for facing the challenges of the next century. This will also help us in the crystallization of a new world order in which dialogue and cooperation can prevail, and in which conflicts and hostilities would disappear.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The major threat to the world economy is no longer represented by inflation, but by recession, stagnation and unemployment. Therefore, we call for concerted international action to redress those difficulties, which have adverse implications for everybody. National plans and programmes capable of addressing the underlying causes of these volatile situations should be established, and help with economic aid to the affected States should be forthcoming from international monetary institutions in order to help them rectify their economic systems and restore their vitality.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Kuwait supports the efforts of the international community to bring about peace and security 20 and to provide the means that help the African peoples and States to achieve their aspirations for economic development and to overcome the problems and difficulties that they face in various fields. We also welcome the role played by the Security Council in examining the situation in the African continent on a periodic basis. Furthermore, we commend President Nelson Mandela for the role that he assumed in this regard as Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement. The world economic scene is currently going through severe turbulence and turmoil that have touched off and worsened economic and social crises in many countries, especially the developing ones.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“On the international plane, while we applaud the international efforts to ensure full and strict implementation of the Dayton accords to bring about peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we regret the aggressive practices of the Serb forces, including the systematic uprooting and “ethnic cleansing” of the Muslim population in the province of Kosovo. We urge the international community to maintain its efforts to put an end to these inhumane practices in order to ensure the right of the native population of that province to a life of dignity and freedom. In Africa, we are witnessing with deep regret the continuation of conflicts and civil wars in several States. These hostilities jeopardize the security and stability of many African States and strain their much needed energies and resources.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In condemning the killing of the Iranian diplomats in Afghanistan, Kuwait would like to extend its sincere condolences to the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and to the families of the victims of this tragic incident. We appeal to both the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan to be calm, exercise self-restraint and resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiation instead of confrontation. While we appreciate the Government of Iran?s ability to handle the crisis in a way that will spare the two Muslim peoples the dire consequences of a war whose consequences we cannot predict, Kuwait supports the endeavours of the Security Council to achieve peace in the area.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The tragic situations that prevail in Somalia and Afghanistan as a result of civil and ethnic conflicts that brought suffering to their peoples cause us concern. Kuwait, by virtue of its historical bonds with these two countries, reiterates its appeals to all warring parties and factions there to put an end to acts of violence and senseless bloodshed. We call upon them to respond immediately to regional and international appeals and initiatives for dialogue and negotiation in order to resolve their differences and to achieve overall national reconciliation. This would allow them to channel their potentialities towards the goals of development and the reconstruction of what these conflicts have destroyed.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In the same vein, we renew our call to the two sponsors of the peace process, especially the United States, to redouble their efforts to salvage the peace process and to bring pressure to bear on Israel to resume negotiations on the Syrian-Israeli track from the point at which they stopped, with a view to ensuring full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, as well as its complete and unconditional withdrawal in accordance with Security Council resolution 425 (1978) from southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa. Indeed, durable, just and comprehensive peace based on United Nations resolutions and the land-for-peace principle is the only guarantee for meeting the aspirations of the peoples of the region for a new era of peaceful coexistence and accelerated economic and social development.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Here, we stress the need to halt the unabating Israeli measures aimed at changing the physical features of the city of Jerusalem and transforming its legal status. We condemn the Israeli Government?s decision last June to expand the municipal boundaries of the Holy City. We call upon the United Nations and the international community to fulfil their legal and political obligations in order to force Israel to comply with Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on Jerusalem and to preserve its Arab, Muslim and religious character.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It is a push towards confrontation, tension, violence and instability throughout the region. Therefore, we demand that the Israeli Government halt its illegal policy of constructing settlements, confiscating land and demolishing houses. Israel should also cease taking unilateral measures to create faits accomplis on the ground inside the occupied territories. Instead, Israel should implement the United Nations resolutions and fulfil its pledges and accords signed with the Palestinian Authority within the framework of the peace process with a view to ensuring the attainment of all legitimate political rights of the Palestinian people, including its right to self- determination and to the establishment of its independent state on its national territory with Jerusalem as its capital.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Kuwait follows with great interest and concern the risks of the current stalemate in the Middle East peace process, which may threaten it with collapse and complete 19 failure due to the intransigent policies of the present Israeli Government, which persists in rejecting the implementation of accords concluded with the Palestinian National Authority and disclaiming the operational principles and framework of the entire peace process, primarily Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the principle of land for peace. This provocative policy which is pursued by Israel?s Government not only undermines the peace process but also creates a general sense of despair and frustration. It also destroys all efforts to build mutual confidence between the parties concerned.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Having said that, and in view of Kuwait?s belief in the inalienable rights of our sister State of the United Arab Emirates to the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to and support for the final statement issued by the Kuwait summit of Gulf Cooperation Council member States last December.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The events of the past two decades in the Arabian Gulf region have demonstrated the need for building a regional system on the basis of full and mutual respect for the principles of sovereignty of all States, non- interference in the domestic affairs of others, non-use or threat of use of force, the right of each State to choose its own political, economic and social system, the sovereignty of each State over its natural resources and the importance of resort to peaceful negotiation for the resolution of disputes which may arise between them.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Its continuation causes more pain and suffering for the affected families and the people of Kuwait, who remain hopeful for the return of their loved ones. It is our hope that this question will be resolved once and for all, in accordance with the traditions of Islam and the provisions of the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Such crises, which are periodically triggered by the Iraqi Government in its attempts to disavow and circumvent its legal obligations, have all failed thanks to the solid coherence and unity of position of the members of the Security Council, which insist on full compliance by Iraq with the relevant Security Council resolutions. There is no doubt that all these crises unfortunately contribute to the prolongation of the sanctions, for which the Government of Iraq alone bears responsibility. Accordingly, we call upon the international community to maintain its pressure on Iraq in order to force it to comply with all relevant resolutions of international legitimacy, to release all Kuwaiti prisoners and other detainees and to account for the missing persons. This is a long-standing humanitarian problem.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“How can such claims be reconciled with the fact that until now we have not yet heard from Iraq any declaration or seen any initiative suggesting that it regrets what it has done? In fact, convenient selectivity is the dominant feature of Iraq?s approach in addressing the resolutions and demands of international legitimacy. The most recent crisis is perhaps a good example of the Government of Iraq?s procrastination and its breach of Security Council resolutions and of the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It reaffirms its firm position that the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq must be preserved.” In addition to this crystal clear position of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the Non-Aligned Movement, at its recent summit in South Africa, underscored the need for Iraq to complete its implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions. The same call was made earlier by the leaders of the Muslim countries when they convened their summit meeting in Tehran last December. Despite those legitimate demands and sincere calls to Iraq to respond favourably to and to put into effect the resolutions of international legitimacy, Iraq still persists in disregarding those calls and in challenging the Security Council resolutions. It claims that it has carried out what it is required to do.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It reaffirms its support for the United Nations Special Commission in charge of the elimination of Iraq?s weapons of mass destruction, and for its Executive Chairman, with the intention of enabling it to fulfil its mandate, and invites the Government of Iraq to cooperate in earnest with the Special Commission without any restrictions or conditions. It stresses the need for Iraq to carry out all relevant Security Council resolutions with a view to mitigating sanctions and alleviating the suffering of the Iraqi people, a suffering with which member States of the Supreme Council are sympathetic, thus prompting them to welcome the oil-for-food formula as a means of providing food and medical drugs to the brotherly people of Iraq.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It also stresses that the invasion and occupation of the State of Kuwait by Iraq was a breach of inter-Arab and international treaties. Therefore, Iraq must solemnly acknowledge that by its occupation of the State of Kuwait, it violated the Charter of the League of Arab States, the Joint Arab Defence Treaty and the Charter of the United Nations. The Supreme Council invites Iraq to take the necessary steps to demonstrate its good intentions towards the State of Kuwait and other States in the region in both word and deed, with a view to sparing the region the horrors of another similar catastrophe and to ensuring security and stability for all States of the region.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It also outlined the conditions that must be met by Iraq in order to enable it to reclaim its normal position within the ranks of the international community. Let me cite the following excerpt from the Gulf Cooperation Council summit statement: “The Supreme Council reaffirms the necessity for the Government of Iraq to implement all relevant Security Council resolutions without selectivity, especially those relating to the elimination of weapons of mass destruction that remain in Iraq?s 18 possession, the release of Kuwaiti and third country prisoners, the return of all Kuwaiti property and compliance with Security Council resolution 949 (1994) by refraining from any act of aggression or provocation against neighbouring States.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Leaders of the GCC member States hold annual summits to examine and review a wide range of issues and events that concern the family of the GCC community and have an impact on regional security and stability. A major issue on the agenda of the summit conferences in this regard is the implementation by Iraq of its obligations set forth in the Security Council resolutions relating to its invasion of the State of Kuwait. Therefore, the Gulf Cooperation Council leaders attached great importance to this question in their last summit, held in December 1997 in Kuwait. The final statement issued by that summit reflected a Gulf vision of the future modalities for establishing peace and stability in the region.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In this regard, we welcome the Political Declaration adopted at the conclusion of the twentieth special session of the General Assembly, held last June. We are hopeful that the steps agreed to then will be translated into effective concrete measures to stem the tide of this phenomenon, which poses severe threats to human health and to the dignity and aspirations of millions of people and their families, as well as to the stability and independence of States. The State of Kuwait has the honour of holding the chairmanship of the current session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which was established in 1981. Since its inception, the GCC has been working steadily to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of its peoples, who share a common view of their destiny and future.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Kuwait calls for greater consolidation of international efforts, to ensure wider respect for and protection of the human rights consecrated in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration. We maintain that it is the duty of all States, irrespective of their political, economic or cultural systems, to protect and promote those rights, with a view to ensuring the dignity of the human being and his or her rights to freedom of expression and belief. In the area of the fight against narcotic drugs, we believe that the efforts of the United Nations and of other competent international institutions to combat this pernicious phenomenon, and to minimize the illicit sale, trade and abuse of drugs should be supported and strengthened.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We therefore call on the international community to pursue its efforts to eliminate anti-personnel mines. Kuwait also encourages the movement towards curbing the arms race and developing controls and rules that contribute to tension reduction in all volatile and conflict-ridden regions, especially the Middle East, South Asia and the Indian subcontinent. A significant development in international efforts to combat crimes of genocide and massacres committed during conflicts and wars was the recent adoption of the Statute of the International Criminal Court in Rome last July. It is our hope that the Court will live up to the legitimate aspirations of the world community in trying all perpetrators of war crimes or crimes against humanity and in serving as an effective deterrent against serious violations of international humanitarian law.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In the area of disarmament, we welcome the progress made thus far with regard to the Convention on the prohibition of chemical weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. When we in Kuwait talk about landmines, we have in our minds the bitter memory of the destructive impact of the millions of mines planted throughout Kuwait by the invading Iraqi forces. Those mines claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent children, women and elderly people. It took painstaking efforts, in which many States participated, to remove those mines. Kuwait had to expend great efforts and vast sums on the clearance operations.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“17 In this context, Kuwait wishes to reaffirm its categorical denunciation and rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism, irrespective of their source. We support all collective international efforts to confront this phenomenon, including the apprehension and trial of the perpetrators of these crimes. Kuwait condemns the terrorist acts perpetrated against the United States embassy buildings in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam last August and extends heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims of those tragic incidents.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The comprehensive paper submitted by the Non-Aligned Movement on 11 March 1997 to the Working Group constitutes an appropriate basis for working out an agreement on the procedures to be adopted and incorporated into the rules of procedure of the Council. As we stand at the threshold of the twenty-first century, our world is witnessing the emergence of a multitude of problems and issues whose implications transcend national and geographical boundaries. Their inherent dangers can threaten national and international security. Unless curbed, such hazards will undermine the achievements made thus far in the environmental, social and economic spheres. Among such problems — without being exhaustive — are terrorism, the arms race, narcotic drugs, environmental degradation, poverty, human rights violations, massacres and genocide.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)