UNITED
NATIONS

S
Security Council
Distr.
GENERAL
S/1996/796
26 September 1996
ENGLISH
ORIGINAL: ARABIC

LETTER DATED 24 SEPTEMBER 1996 FROM THE PERMANENT OBSERVER FOR
THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Pursuant to Article 54 of the Charter of the United Nations, I have the
honour to transmit to you herewith the texts of two statements adopted by the
Council of the League of Arab States meeting at the level of Ministers for
Foreign Affairs on 14 September 1996 at its one hundred and sixth regular
session. I should be grateful if you would bring the statements to the
attention of the President of the Security Council and if you would have the
present letter and its annexes circulated as a document of the Council.

(Signed)

Mahmoud ABOUL-NASR
Ambassador
Permanent Observer of the
League of Arab States

96-25498 (E)

260996

260996

/...

 S/1996/796
English
Page 2

Annex 1
Statement adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States on
14 September 1996 concerning the situation in northern Iraq

The Council of the League of Arab States, meeting in Cairo on
14 September 1996 at the level of Ministers for Foreign Affairs,
Having heard the statements made by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs at
their consultative meeting this morning concerning the grave situation created
in northern Iraq by Turkish violations of Iraqi territory on the pretext of
establishing a so-called "security zone" or "danger zone" and the consequent
repercussions for Arab national security,
Having expressed its deep concern at the way the situation has developed as
a result of territorial intrusions that threaten the unity, security and
integrity of the territory of the Republic of Iraq,
Affirms the following:
1.
Its strong condemnation of interference by certain geographically
contiguous States in the internal affairs of the territory of an Arab State and
a member of the League of Arab States;
2.
Its strong commitment to the independence, sovereignty, unity and
territorial integrity of Iraq and its desire that it should not be subjected to
attempts at intimidation;
3.
Its full support for the Iraqi people and for the endeavour to mitigate its
suffering. In this context, the Council urges the speedy implementation of the
"oil-for-food" formula in accordance with Security Council resolution
986 (1995).

/...

 S/1996/796
English
Page 3

Annex 2
Statement adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States
on 14 September 1996 concerning the dispute between Yemen
and Eritrea

The Council of the League of Arab States,
Having heard the statement of His Excellency Mr. Abduh Ali Abd al-Rahman,
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Head of the Delegation of the Republic
of Yemen, concerning the latest developments in the situation in the southern
Red Sea area created by the landing of Eritrean forces on Yemen’s Lesser Hanish
Island in the first week of August 1996 and their occupation of positions there,
Commending the positions adopted by the Government of the Republic of Yemen
in addressing the crisis, which have been characterized by the greatest selfrestraint, and its responsible attitude aimed at preventing any aggravation or
deterioration of the situation in the area,
Further commending the position taken by the United Nations Security
Council, the role it has played in urging the parties to the dispute to exercise
the utmost self-restraint, its demand for a return to the situation prevailing
prior to the beginning of August 1996 and its call for compliance with the
Agreement on Principles signed by the two countries on 21 May 1996 in Paris,
which requires that the dispute be settled by peaceful means,
Expresses its strong commitment to the need to foster security and
stability in the Red Sea area and to the historical relations of goodneighbourliness that link the Republic of Yemen and the State of Eritrea;
Affirms its full support for the Agreement on Principles signed by the
Republic of Yemen and the State of Eritrea and for the efforts being made by
France for the peaceful settlement of the dispute, and stresses the need for
urgent steps to be taken to complete the arbitration procedures and for the
provisions of the Agreement on Principles to be implemented by the two
neighbouring countries.

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