Weapons of mass distruction in the ME – Letter from Iran

           LETTER DATED 26 FEBRUARY 1998 FROM THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I.

           OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO

THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

I have the honour to enclose herewith the text of the message from His Excellency Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, addressed to you (see annex).

I should be grateful if you would have the text of the present letter and its annex circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Majid TAKHT-RAVANCHI

Ambassador      

Chargé d'affaires a.i.

Annex

Letter dated 26 February 1998 from the President of the Islamic

Republic of Iran addressed to the Secretary-General

From the very beginning of the recent crisis in the sensitive Persian Gulf region, the international community, in particular the Islamic world, while emphasizing the implementation of international regulations and the Security Council resolutions on the elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, expressed its grave concern at the exacerbation of the situation and the possibility of military conflict, which would only lead to human losses, environmental damage and new waves of refugees in the region.  Accordingly, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), having undertaken extensive efforts with the cooperation of concerned countries and organizations with a view to arriving at a peaceful resolution of the crisis, welcomes your successful mission to Iraq, which culminated in an understanding for the termination of the crisis and saving the region, in particular the people of Iraq, from extreme tragedy.  OIC earnestly hopes that this understanding, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, as well as the dignity of the people of Iraq, will lead to the implementation of the Security Council resolutions and the complete elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

The most severe and serious threat against the security and stability of the Middle East region lies in the weapons of mass destruction of Israel, as well as its extensive and dangerous drive, relying on such weapons, geared to the expansion of its military capability.  In our view, the most essential and critical measure towards the restoration of enduring stability, tranquillity and security in the region is to be found in a serious move towards the complete annihilation of such weapons of the Zionist regime and ridding this sensitive region of weapons of mass destruction.  It is deemed necessary that the United Nations, in maintaining its credibility and underlining its intent, pay serious attention to the adoption of necessary measures and practical and constant actions in this respect, and resist double-standard approaches and policies that cannot but result in Israel's free hand in production and proliferation of nuclear as well as other weapons of mass destruction and its repeated violation of international regulations and United Nations decisions, including Security Council resolutions.  Such a posture and policy on the part of the United Nations will undoubtedly enjoy the support of all good-intentioned and independent States and honourable nations of the world.  OIC is fully prepared to extend its cooperation towards attaining this important and crucial objective.  To this end, unequivocal decisions, unambiguous positions and the consensus view of the Islamic countries in this regard provide the necessary potential, dynamism and will for implementing the adopted measures.

I pray to Almighty God for your success in the promotion of peace, security and justice in the world.

Seyyed Mohammad KHATAMI         

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

—–