UN reports progress in return of some Kuwaiti goods missing since Iraq’s 1990 invasion
While welcoming the return of airplane parts discovered in Tunisia that belong to the Kuwait Airways Corporation, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in his latest report on property seized by Iraq after its 1990 occupation of its neighbour, expresses disappointment that Kuwait’s national archives are still missing.
“This file is now closed to the satisfaction of Kuwait and in the interest in Iraq,” Mr. Annan says of the return of the airplane parts, which include an engine that had to be removed from the wing of an Iraqi Airways Corporation 747 stationed in Tozeur, Tunisia.
In the case of the archives, however, Mr. Annan says he believes it required a more intensive effort “by all who are in a position to assist,” especially members of the United States-led Multinational Force in Iraq.
“As it may not be possible to ascertain at this point whether they were destroyed or are still hidden at one or several locations, it is necessary to arrive at a clear idea as to what is needed to assure closure of this chapter,” he adds.
In previous reports, Mr. Annan has said that Kuwait considers the return of the archives essential since they are the official records of the country. Of particular importance are documents belonging to the offices of the Amiri Diwan (Royal Court), the Council of Ministers, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As recently as the past April, the Security Council has voiced its full support for continued efforts to find and return such property, which are under the mandate of the UN High-level Coordinator Yuli Vorontsov.