NON-ALIGNED NATIONS REQUEST OPEN SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE ON IRAQ

["Kessaissia, Mazine" <mazine.kessaissia@mail.utexas.edu>]

All,

Here is a significant move from the non-aligned countries regarding the Iraq 
issue.


New York, Oct 11 2002  1:00PM
A group of non-aligned nations has requested an emergency open debate on Iraq 
in the United Nations Security Council, saying that it was imperative the 15-
member body hear the views of the wider UN membership before it adopted any 
proposed resolution.

In a letter on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement addressed to the President 
of the Council, Ambassador Dumisani S. Kumalo of South Africa says the group 
notes that consultations are currently under way, particularly among the 
Council's five permanent members, on a possible new resolution on Iraq.

"We believe that the proposed elements of such a resolution include issues 
that are of importance to the entire membership of the United Nations, no only 
to the US or Britain, and the future role of the United Nations in the 
maintenance of international peace and security," the letter states.

"All States Members and Permanent Observes of the United Nations should be 
afforded an opportunity to express their views on these important developments 
that directly affect the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United 
Nations," it adds.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked to see the Council President 
for the month of October, Ambassador Martin Belinga-Eboutou of Cameroon, and a 
number of other representatives "to take the pulse" on where things stand with 
Security Council action on Iraq before he leaves tomorrow for China, a UN 
spokesman said.