Re: Kuwaiti POWs and Missing

Date: April 22, 2004

" Files On Kuwaitis Missing In Iraq Progressing

Press Release: United Nations
Progress Made In Closing Files On Kuwaitis Missing In Iraq – UN Report

While over 200 cases remain unresolved, appreciable progress has been made in identifying the remains of Kuwaiti prisoners of war as well as the nationals of other countries who have been missing since the 1990 invasion by Iraq, according to a United Nations report released today.

A total of 92 files have been closed, Secretary-General Kofi Annan writes in a report to the Security Council, although 240 sets of mortal remains had been brought to Kuwait for identification.

Reiterating his condemnation of the executions by the former Iraqi regime, Mr. Annan says, “The perpetrators of those despicable crimes should be brought to justice.”

Exhumation operations in Iraq have been hampered by insecurity there, the report states. In one instance, a Kuwaiti technical team was attacked on the road near Karbala.

Meanwhile, Mr. Annan’s High-level Coordinator, Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov, continues to consult with those concerned in a bid to bring closure to the issue. The Secretary-General recommends that the Council extend Mr. Vorontsov’s mandate to continue this work.

He also stresses the need for the Coordinator to travel to Baghdad to establish contacts with the new Iraqi authorities and confer with members of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). So far, logistical constraints have forestalled a visit. "
AND
"22 April 2004

Spokesman for Secretary-General

Security Council voices hope that UN envoy on missing Kuwaitis can go to Iraq

21 April 2004 – Stressing the importance of resolving the fate of Kuwaitis and others missing since Iraq's 1990 invasion, members of the Security Council today voiced hope that a United Nations envoy dealing with the issue could soon pursue his work in Baghdad.

In a press statement, the current Council President, Ambassador Gunter Pleuger of Germany, also expressed support for the High-Level Coordinator, Yuliy Vorontsov, and said the members would keep his mandate under review.

In a recent report to the Security Council, Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted that a total of 92 files have been closed, although 240 sets of mortal remains had been brought to Kuwait for identification.

He also stressed the need for Mr. Vorontsov to travel to Baghdad to establish contacts with the new Iraqi authorities and confer with members of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).

Ambassador Pleuger said Council members shared Mr. Annan's views. Strongly condemning the executions carried out by the former Iraqi regime, the members joined the Secretary-General in voicing hope that those responsible would be brought to justice."