Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has reiterated his country's commitment to international resolutions related to outstanding issues between Iraq and Kuwait. He emphasised that the Iraqi government’s current efforts to exit from Chapter VII will not be at the expense of Kuwait, its sovereignty or its security. Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter sets out the UN Security Council's powers to maintain peace. It allows the council to "determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression" and to take military and non-military action to "restore international peace and security.”

Zebari is currently conducting a series of consultations in New York with permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council to review and prepare a report, to be issued by the UN secretary general in the coming days. On July 16, he delivered a message of friendship and brotherhood to Kuwait. At the same time, he assured the Kuwaiti government that Iraq's political and diplomatic activities serve to request an international review of the resolutions.

Zebari stated that there are a number of steps that Iraq can take to allay any fears on the part of the Kuwaiti government. He expressed his belief that the coming period will be an important one to build mutual trust through a series of practical measures. He also confirmed that Iraqis will take active and real steps to allay these fears.

Zebari explained that the Security Council’s review includes a reassessment of the resolutions passed against Iraq when its military forces invaded Kuwait in August 1990. The Security Council will also review a number of other matters, including the issue of the reparations that Iraq still owes to Kuwait and the issue of prisoners. The fate of prisoners is currently subject to joint discussions between the two countries.

Zebari arrived in New York heading an official delegation at the beginning of last week. The delegation will participate in a session to review Security Council resolutions imposed on Iraq under Chapter VII, in accordance with Resolution 1859, which was adopted by the Security Council in late 2008.

Sources: KUNA agency,