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Fall of Iraqi regime reveals 'grim truth' that Kuwaiti prisoners were killed - UN

Fall of Iraqi regime reveals 'grim truth' that Kuwaiti prisoners were killed - UN

Mass grave in Iraq being excavated
In a new report on the fate of Kuwaitis who went missing in Iraq after the 1990 invasion of their country, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says fresh evidence suggests that most if not all were killed.

"After many years of manoeuvring and denial by the previous Government of Iraq, a grim truth is unveiling itself," he writes in a report to the Security Council released today. "The discovery of mass graves in Iraq containing the mortal remains of Kuwaitis is a gruesome and devastating development."

While holding out hope that some of the 605 missing persons could be found alive, he acknowledges that prospects are dim.

The Secretary-General, who has been reporting regularly to the Council on the fate of missing persons and efforts to rescue them, shares evidence of the former regime's atrocities that has emerged since its downfall, including photographs of mass graves and human remains.

He also takes the occasion of what is perhaps his last report to the Council on the matter to urge that justice prevail in the face of these horrors. "The removal from Kuwait of civilians - men and women - their execution in cold blood in remote sites in Iraq, and a decade-long cover-up of the truth constitute a grave violation of human rights and international humanitarian law," he writes. "Those responsible for these horrendous crimes, particularly those who ordered the executions, must be brought to justice."

The report describes the efforts of the UN High-level Coordinator on the issue, Yuli Vorontsov, to uncover information on missing Kuwaiti persons and property. It details ongoing exhumations that prove the cruel nature of the crimes, including photographs that "clearly show the human remains with bullet-entry marks in the skulls."

"More and more Kuwaitis are now resigned to the belief that all the Kuwaitis who were listed as missing are probably dead," Mr. Annan notes, extending condolences to all those affected.

Amid this devastating picture, the Secretary-General finds cause for hope that the changed situation can clear the way for further cooperation on humanitarian issues between Iraq and Kuwait.

"The fall of Saddam Hussein's regime and the opening of avenues for direct contact between the parties concerned inspired hopes for an early resolution of all outstanding questions," he says. While noting that some progress has been achieved, he cautions, "More time will be needed and more efforts required before the questions of concern to Kuwait can be settled."