Further to my letter dated 11 December 1998 (S/1998/1158), regarding the approval of the distribution plan submitted by the Government of Iraq for the purchase and distribution of humanitarian supplies during the new period specified in paragraph 1 of resolution 1210 (1998) of 24 November 1998, I have the honour to inform you and, through you, the members of the Security Council, that, pursuant to paragraph 8 (a) (ii) of Security Council resolution 986 (1995) of 14 April 1995, the Government of Iraq has now submitted to me a revised Part Seven of the distribution plan, concerning telecommunications. The revised requirements have been submitted following a joint technical review by United Nations experts and the relevant technical ministries of the Government of Iraq, referred to in the letter dated 29 May 1998 from the Executive Director of the Iraq Programme, addressed to the Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations (S/1998/446, annex I).

The Government of Iraq was informed today that I have approved the revised Part Seven of the distribution plan, on the understanding that its implementation would be governed by resolutions 986 (1995) and 1210 (1998) and the Memorandum of Understanding concluded on 20 May 1996 between the United Nations Secretariat and the Government of Iraq, and would be without prejudice to the procedures followed by the Security Council Committee established by resolution 661 (1990).

A copy of the list of supplies and goods in the revised annex VII to the distribution plan will be made available to the Security Council Committee. The list has been scrutinized by experts of the United Nations Special Commission, who concluded that, on the basis of the limited information given in annexes, no prohibited items could be identified. They will keep the matter under review and provide further assessment in the light of additional information that may become available.

The revised Part Seven of the executive summary of the distribution plan, concerning telecommunications and the letter conveying my acceptance are attached.

Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

  (signed)

                                            Kofi A. Annan