UNITED NATIONS IRAN-IRAQ MILITARY OBSERVER GROUP
UNIIMOG
(August 1988 - February 1991)
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UNIIMOG
was established in August 1988 to verify, confirm and
supervise the ceasefire and the withdrawal of all forces
to the internationally recognized boundaries, pending a
comprehensive settlement. UNIIMOG was terminated in
February 1991after Iran and Iraq had withdrawn fully
their forces to the internationally recognized
boundaries.
UNIIMOG
was established by Security
Council
resolution 619 (1988) of 9 August 1988, with the
mandate to verify, confirm and supervise the ceasefire
and the withdrawal of all forces to the internationally
recognized boundaries, pending a comprehensive
settlement. Its terms of reference were set out as
follows:
- to establish with
the parties agreed ceasefire lines on the basis of
the forward defended localities occupied by the two
sides on D-Day but adjusting these, as may be
agreed, when the positions of the two sides were
judged to be dangerously close to each other;
- to monitor
compliance with the ceasefire;
- to investigate any
alleged violations of the ceasefire and restore the
situation if a violation took place;
- to prevent, through
negotiation, any other change in the status quo,
pending withdrawal of all forces to the
internationally recognized boundaries;
- to supervise, verify
and confirm the withdrawal of all forces to the
internationally recognized boundaries;
- thereafter, to
monitor the ceasefire on the internationally
recognized boundaries, investigate alleged
violations and prevent, through negotiation, any
other change in the status quo, pending negotiation
of a comprehensive settlement;
- to obtain the
agreement of the parties to other arrangements
which, pending negotiation of a comprehensive
settlement, could help to reduce tension and build
confidence between them, such as the establishment
of areas of separation of forces on either side of
the international border, limitations on the number
and calibre of weapons to be deployed in areas close
to the international border, and patrolling by
United Nations naval personnel of certain sensitive
areas in or near the Shatt al-Arab.
By the
end of September 1990, the withdrawal of all forces of
both sides to the internationally recognized boundaries
had been almost complete, although there were a few
locations where, in UNIIMOG's view, the forces of each
side remained on the wrong side of the boundaries.
Following the adoption of
resolution 671 (1990) of 27 September 1990, UNIIMOG
concentrated on the following tasks:
-
to
verify, confirm and supervise the remaining stages
of the withdrawal;
-
to
help the parties to resolve any local tensions that
might arise, e.g., as a result of differences about
the exact line of the border, moves forward,
accidental firings, etc.;
-
to
assist the parties in establishing an area of
separation C an area on either side of the border
into which each party would agree not to deploy
military forces.
UNIIMOG
completed its mandate on 28 February 1991.
In
August 1988, after almost eight years of war, and
following a period of intensive negotiations between the
Secretary-General and the two Foreign Ministers, the
Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Iraq agreed
to a suggestion of the Secretary-General, which combined
the coming into force of a ceasefire and the beginning
of direct talks between the two Foreign Ministers under
the auspices of the Secretary-General. The United
Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG) was
established to verify, confirm and supervise the
cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of all
forces to the internationally recognized boundaries
without delay. It was deployed in the region several
days before the formal commencement of the ceasefire on
20 August 1988.
BACKGROUND
United Nations involvement during the conflict
Attempts by the United Nations to seek an end to the war
dated back to 1980, when an outbreak of armed conflict
between Iran and Iraq prompted Secretary-General Kurt
Waldheim to offer his good offices to work for a
peaceful settlement of the conflict. On 23 September
1980, in accordance with Article 99 of the United
Nations Charter, he brought to the attention of the
Security Council the threat to the maintenance of
international peace and security. In resolution 479 of
28 September 1980, the Council, among other things,
called upon Iran and Iraq to refrain immediately from
any further use of force and to settle their dispute by
peaceful means. It had little effect.
On
11 November, Mr. Olof Palme, former Prime Minister of
Sweden, was appointed as the Secretary-General's Special
Representative to Iran and Iraq and shortly thereafter
undertook a mission to the region. Some progress was
made over the freeing of merchant shipping caught by the
hostilities in the Shatt al-Arab waterway and, in 1981
and 1982, over the exchange of limited numbers of
prisoners of war. Yet a settlement remained elusive.
While these efforts stalled over the issues of
responsibility for the war and control of the Shatt
al-Arab, the United Nations was able to play a role in
the issue of the bombing of purely civilian population
centres of both countries. Furthermore, missions
dispatched by the Secretary-General confirmed the use of
chemical weapons and investigated the situation of
prisoners of war in both countries.
Military inspection teams
The
year 1984 saw the establishment of the first resident
United Nations presence in the area. On 9 June,
Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar appealed to
both sides to refrain from deliberate military attacks
on purely civilian centres of population. When both Iran
and Iraq agreed to this, the Secretary-General informed
the Security Council of his decision to deploy
inspection teams in the region. Their task would be to
investigate alleged attacks on civilian areas. This
became known as the truce in the "war of the cities" and
lasted for some nine months.
By
the end of June, two teams, each composed of three
officers seconded from the military personnel of the
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)
and one senior official of the United Nations
Secretariat, were installed in Baghdad and Tehran. Their
presence in the capitals four years later helped to
expedite the establishment of UNIIMOG.
In
1986 and 1987, escalation of the war had increasing
international repercussions. Attacks on merchant
shipping in the Persian Gulf, including repeated strikes
against commercial oil tankers, became more frequent. In
response, several countries unilaterally dispatched
mine-sweeping and escort craft in an attempt to
facilitate safe commercial passage through international
waters.
In
January 1987, the Secretary-General undertook a new
diplomatic initiative to reach a settlement. Enlisting
the cooperation of all the members of the Council at a
meeting in his office on 23 January 1987, he suggested a
number of elements for their consideration. On 20 July,
after extensive consultations, the Council adopted
resolution 598 (1987), which included those elements and
the ceasefire which came into effect one year later. The
Secretary-General's endeavours benefited from a growing
readiness by the five permanent members to work together
to seek an end to this long-standing conflict.
Resolution 598
In
the preamble to resolution 598 (1987), the Council
reaffirmed its resolution 582 (1986) (which, among other
things, had called for an immediate ceasefire, the
withdrawal of all forces to the internationally
recognized boundaries without delay and a comprehensive
exchange of prisoners of war); expressed its deep
concern that the conflict between Iran and Iraq
continued unabated with further heavy loss of human life
and material destruction; deplored the initiation and
continuation of the conflict, the bombing of purely
civilian population centres, attacks on neutral shipping
or civilian aircraft, the violation of international
humanitarian law and other laws of armed conflict, and,
in particular, the use of chemical weapons contrary to
obligations under the 1925 Geneva Protocol. It expressed
its deep concern that further escalation and widening of
the conflict might take place, its determination to
bring to an end all military actions between Iran and
Iraq, and its conviction that a comprehensive, just,
honourable and durable settlement should be achieved
between Iran and Iraq.
In
the operative paragraphs, the Council demanded that, as
a first step towards a negotiated settlement, Iran and
Iraq observe an immediate ceasefire, discontinue all
military actions on land, at sea and in the air, and
withdraw all forces to the internationally recognized
boundaries without delay; it requested the
Secretary-General to dispatch a team of United Nations
observers to verify, confirm and supervise the ceasefire
and withdrawal and further requested the
Secretary-General to make the necessary arrangements in
consultation with the parties and to submit a report
thereon to the Security Council; it urged that prisoners
of war be released and repatriated without delay after
the cessation of active hostilities; called upon Iran
and Iraq to cooperate with the Secretary-General in
implementing the resolution and in mediation efforts to
achieve a comprehensive, just and honourable settlement,
acceptable to both sides, of all outstanding issues, in
accordance with the principles contained in the Charter
of the United Nations, and upon all other States to
refrain from any act which might lead to further
escalation and widening of the conflict.
The
Council requested the Secretary-General to explore, in
consultation with Iran and Iraq, the question of
entrusting an impartial body with inquiring into
responsibility for the conflict and to report to the
Council as soon as possible; to assign a team of experts
to study the question of reconstruction; and, in
consultation with Iran and Iraq and with other States of
the region, to examine measures to enhance the stability
of the region. He was asked to keep the Security Council
informed on the implementation of the resolution.
Iraq
welcomed the resolution and informed the
Secretary-General of its readiness to cooperate with him
and the Security Council in its implementation. Iran,
while not rejecting the resolution, criticized
"fundamental defects and incongruities" in it.
In
September 1987, the Secretary-General travelled to
Tehran and Baghdad, and a period of intense diplomatic
activity ensued, with negotiations in the region and at
United Nations Headquarters in New York. In October, the
Secretary-General tabled the implementation plan of the
resolution which he had originally presented to the
Council in September. In the spring of 1988, he met
repeatedly with representatives of both countries in an
attempt to reach accord on the implementation of
resolution 598 (1987). In March 1988, the
Secretary-General invited both sides to send special
emissaries to New York for consultations which took
place in April 1988.
Meanwhile, the war continued, with the ever-present risk
of a widening of the hostilities. Naval vessels sent by
a number of countries to escort merchant shipping in the
Persian Gulf were involved in incidents with one or
other of the combatants. On 3 July 1988, the USS
Vincennes, a United States cruiser, mistakenly shot down
an Iranian commercial airliner, killing all 290
passengers and crew on board.
Acceptance of resolution 598
On
17 July 1988, Iran notified the Secretary-General of its
formal acceptance of resolution 598 (1987), expressing
the need to save life and to establish justice and
regional and international peace and security. The
following day, Iraq also reaffirmed its agreement with
the principles embodied in the resolution.
Between 26 July and 7 August, the Secretary-General met
with the Foreign Minister of Iran nine times and with
the Representatives of Iraq six times in talks aimed at
bringing about implementation of the resolution. After
these intensive efforts, and with the assistance of
regional diplomacy, on 6 August the President of Iraq
declared his readiness for a cease-fire to be followed
by direct talks. In letters dated 8 August 1988, the
Secretary-General informed the Permanent Representatives
of Iran and Iraq that both Governments had agreed that
direct talks between their Foreign Ministers should be
held under his auspices, immediately after the
establishment of the ceasefire, in order to reach a
common understanding of the other provisions of Security
Council resolution 598 (1987) and the procedures and
timing for their implementation.
Resolution 598 (1987) addressed the need both for
verification and supervision of a ceasefire and for
mediation to resolve all outstanding issues between the
two countries. In pursuance of the latter, on 1
September 1988 the Secretary-General appointed
Ambassador Jan Eliasson (Sweden), as his Personal
Representative on Issues Pertaining to the
Implementation of Security Council Resolution 598
(1987).
Technical mission
With
formal agreement to a ceasefire in sight, the
Secretary-General sent a technical mission to Iran and
Iraq from 25 July to 2 August to work out the modalities
for the dispatch of the United Nations observer group.
Lieutenant-General Martin Vadset (Norway), Chief of
Staff of UNTSO, led the mission, which included a senior
political adviser, a civilian logistics expert and four
military observers from UNTSO. It was assisted by the
small teams which had been stationed in Baghdad and
Tehran since 1984. In the course of three working days
in Tehran and three in Baghdad, the mission held
detailed discussions with the political and military
authorities in both capitals about the method of
operation of the military observer group called for in
resolution 598 (1987), its deployment in each of the two
countries, and the cooperation and facilities it would
require from both parties.
ESTABLISHMENT AND
OPERATIONS OF UNIIMOG
Mandate
The
information furnished by the technical mission was used
in defining the terms of reference and concept of
operations of UNIIMOG. On 7 August, the
Secretary-General presented to the Security Council a
report containing his proposals for the composition and
precise mandate of UNIIMOG once a date for the ceasefire
had been agreed. This was achieved on 8 August, when he
announced the agreement of both Iran and Iraq to a
ceasefire with effect from 0300 GMT on 20 August; direct
talks between the two countries would begin under his
auspices on 25 August in Geneva.
UNIIMOG's mandate, in accordance with resolution 598,
was "to verify, confirm and supervise the ceasefire and
withdrawal". Its terms of reference were set out in the
Secretary-General's report of 7 August in the following
terms:
(a)
to establish with the parties agreed ceasefire lines on
the basis of the forward defended localities occupied by
the two sides on D-Day but adjusting these, as may be
agreed, when the positions of the two sides were judged
to be dangerously close to each other;
(b)
to monitor compliance with the ceasefire;
(c)
to investigate any alleged violations of the ceasefire
and restore the situation if a violation took place;
(d)
to prevent, through negotiation, any other change in the
status quo, pending withdrawal of all forces to the
internationally recognized boundaries;
(e)
to supervise, verify and confirm the withdrawal of all
forces to the internationally recognized boundaries;
(f)
thereafter, to monitor the ceasefire on the
internationally recognized boundaries, investigate
alleged violations and prevent, through negotiation, any
other change in the status quo, pending negotiation of a
comprehensive settlement;
(g)
to obtain the agreement of the parties to other
arrangements which, pending negotiation of a
comprehensive settlement, could help to reduce tension
and build confidence between them, such as the
establishment of areas of separation of forces on either
side of the international border, limitations on the
number and calibre of weapons to be deployed in areas
close to the international border, and patrolling by
United Nations naval personnel of certain sensitive
areas in or near the Shatt al-Arab.
In
his report of 7 August, the Secretary-General also drew
attention to four essential conditions that had to be
met for UNIIMOG to be effective. First, it had to have
at all times the full confidence and backing of the
Security Council. Secondly, it had to enjoy the full
cooperation of the two parties. Thirdly, it had to be
able to function as an integrated and efficient military
unit. Fourthly, adequate financial arrangements had to
be made to cover its costs.
In
its resolution 619 (1988) of 9 August, the Security
Council approved the Secretary-General's report and
decided to establish UNIIMOG immediately for a period of
six months. Major-General Slavko Jovic (Yugoslavia) was
appointed to the post of Chief Military Observer and
served in this capacity until November 1990. Upon his
departure, Brigadier-General S. Anam Khan (Bangladesh)
took command of UNIIMOG as Acting Chief Military
Observer.
At
its peak, the total military strength of UNIIMOG was
approximately 400 all ranks, including some 350 military
observers. Military observers were contributed by
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia,
Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria,
Norway, Peru, Poland, Senegal, Sweden, Turkey, Uruguay,
Yugoslavia and Zambia. New Zealand operated an air unit,
and the Observer Group also included military police
provided by Ireland and medical orderlies from Austria.
At the beginning of the operation, and pending the
establishment of a civilian-operated communications
system, a signals unit from Canada ensured the vital
communications which UNIIMOG needed. Like other
peacekeeping operations, UNIIMOG also included
international and locally recruited civilian staff.
Advance parties
On
10 August 1988, one day after the enabling resolution of
the Security Council, the first elements of UNIIMOG's
two advance parties arrived in Iran and Iraq. Each group
consisted of twelve military observers (nine of whom
were temporarily drawn from UNTSO) in addition to team
leaders and a civilian component. In the days before the
arrival of the main body of military observers, the
advance parties established liaison with Iranian and
Iraqi authorities and conducted reconnaissance of the
forward locations where UNIIMOG would be deployed.
Ceasefire
The
ceasefire came into effect at 0300 GMT on 20 August
1988. By that time, 307 military observers and the main
elements of the Canadian signals unit were present in
Iran and Iraq and 51 patrols were deployed on the first
day. These patrols had the double task of establishing
the forward defended localities occupied by the two
sides when the ceasefire came into effect and of
defusing confrontations resulting from actual or alleged
breaches of the ceasefire. In some areas there existed
disagreement between the two sides over the precise
position of the forward defended localities on 20 August
1988, and this became one of the principal causes of
tension at certain points on the line.
Deployment
It
was originally envisaged that UNIIMOG group headquarters
would be divided between Baghdad and Tehran, with its
Iran detachment headquarters at Bakhtaran, and the Iraq
detachment headquarters alongside group headquarters at
Baghdad. To increase efficiency, however, and to release
more military observers for patrol duty on the
cease-fire lines, group and detachment headquarters were
merged into a single UNIIMOG headquarters in Baghdad and
another in Tehran.
The
Chief Military Observer and his senior staff spent
alternate weeks at each headquarters. An Assistant Chief
Military Observer was permanently stationed in each
capital and directed UNIIMOG's operations in the country
concerned, under the overall command of the Chief
Military Observer.
Originally, the military observers were deployed in four
sectors on the Iranian side, with sector headquarters at
Saqqez, Bakhtaran, Dezful and Ahwaz, and three on the
Iraqi side, with sector headquarters at Sulaymaniyah,
Ba'qubah and Basra. Each sector controlled a number of
team sites, which were located as far forward as
possible in order to minimize the time spent by military
observers travelling between team site and ceasefire
line. The length of the ceasefire line monitored by a
team site varied from 70 kilometres in the south to 250
kilometres in the north.
The
air wing of UNIIMOG consisted of three fixed-wing
aircraft, for communications, observation, and freight
and passenger duties. It was envisaged that UNIIMOG
would also operate a squadron of United Nations
helicopters for observation of no man's land and the
ceasefire lines but one of the parties would not agree
to that arrangement. As a result, UNIIMOG military
observers had to use helicopters provided by the parties
themselves and which could therefore fly only behind the
respective ceasefire line. This inhibited UNIIMOG's
ability to maintain close observation of the ceasefire.
Operations
The
ceasefire lines, which extended approximately 1,400
kilometres, covered a wide variety of terrain. UNIIMOG's
method of patrolling was adapted accordingly. Teams of
two or more military observers conducted mobile patrols
by vehicle, by helicopter, by boat in the southern
marshes, and by mule-back or on foot in the mountains of
the north. In winter some patrols used skis. UNIIMOG
deployed a daily average of 64 patrols which operated
around the clock.
The
patrols' primary task was to check that the side to
which they were assigned was complying with the
ceasefire. They did this through their own regular
observation of the forward defended localities and by
verifying complaints received from the other side; they
also transmitted complaints to their counterparts on the
opposite side of the ceasefire line. Wherever possible,
they negotiated a return to the status quo with the
commanders on the spot. Where this was not possible, the
matter was referred to the relevant sector headquarters
so that it could be taken up with the liaison
authorities of the side concerned.
In
addition to investigating alleged violations, the
military observers engaged in such humanitarian and
confidence-building measures as the exchange of war dead
found on the battlefield.
Relations with the parties
Preliminary agreements concerning the status of UNIIMOG
were concluded with the Government of Iraq on 5 November
1988 and with the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Iran on 28 March 1989. They embodied the principles of
the Charter of the United Nations and of the Convention
on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations,
as well as the experience of previous United Nations
peacekeeping operations. They were intended to ensure
UNIIMOG's ability to function independently and, in
particular, the freedom of movement and communications
and other facilities that were necessary for the
performance of its tasks.
Both
Iran and Iraq established interdepartmental groups to
coordinate cooperation with UNIIMOG and both provided
liaison officers, as well as the logistic facilities
requested of them.
Ceasefire violations
Throughout the mission, UNIIMOG received frequent
complaints of alleged ceasefire violations; in the first
nine weeks, 1,072 such complaints were recorded, but the
number declined steadily as the ceasefire stabilized.
All complaints were investigated; of those which have
been confirmed, many were minor in nature.
However, more significant violations did occur. On 23B24
August, shortly after the commencement of the ceasefire,
several hundred Iranian soldiers were taken prisoner in
a serious incident near Eyn-e Khowsh. Another serious
violation began on 13 September 1988 when Iran started
flooding an area of no man's land in the Khusk region.
This created a water obstacle between the forward
positions occupied by the two armies, which in this area
lay immediately to the east of the internationally
recognized border. The area under flooding was the scene
of several military confrontations. The flooding ceased
to affect Iraqi positions after the withdrawal of Iraqi
forces in 1990.
There were also some firing incidents. Other violations
included the movement of troops, the establishment of
new observation posts or other positions forward of the
forward defended localities, and the reinforcement of
defensive positions by wiring, mining, improving bunkers
and general engineering works. In all such cases,
UNIIMOG endeavoured to persuade the side concerned to
stop work and restore the status quo.
IMPLEMENTATION OF MANDATE
Strength reductions and changes in mandate
The
situation in the region worsened significantly following
the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait in August
1990. Although this development complicated the work of
UNIIMOG, the Iran-Iraq border remained calm. Despite
continuing ceasefire violations of the nature described
above, the implementation of UNIIMOG's mandate proceeded
overall without major hindrance. By the end of September
1990, the withdrawal of all forces of both sides to the
internationally recognized boundaries had been almost
complete, although there were a few locations where, in
UNIIMOG's view, the forces of each side remained on the
wrong side of the boundaries.
In
these circumstances, the Secretary-General recommended
that the Security Council extend the mandate of UNIIMOG
for a limited period of only two months, instead of six
months as it had done on three previous occasions. This,
in his view, would permit UNIIMOG to complete its tasks
related to the withdrawal of the forces and would allow
time for the parties and the Security Council to judge
whether there was a continuing requirement for an
impartial third party to monitor the ceasefire.
During that period, UNIIMOG would concentrate on the
following tasks: (a) verify, confirm and supervise the
remaining stages of the withdrawal; (b) help the parties
to resolve any local tensions that might arise, e.g., as
a result of differences about the exact line of the
border, moves forward, accidental firings, etc.; (c)
assist the parties in establishing an area of separation
C an area on either side of the border into which each
party would agree not to deploy military forces. It was
judged that only 60 per cent of UNIIMOG's existing
strength would be required to perform those tasks.
Following the adoption of resolution 671 (1990) of 27
September, in which the Security Council concurred with
the Secretary-General's recommendations, the strength of
UNIIMOG was reduced to 230 all ranks, including 184
military observers. In the course of that reduction, the
military observers were redeployed in three sectors on
the Iranian side, with sector headquarters at Saqqez,
Bakhtaran, and Dezful, and three on the Iraqi side, with
sector headquarters at Sulaymaniyah, Mansuriyah and
Basra.
In
the following two months, both sides continued the
process of withdrawal of their forces to the
internationally recognized boundaries. Both sides,
however, continued to occupy or re-occupied positions in
the proposed area of separation. In some cases local
tension occurred when the two sides established
positions in close proximity to, or even co-located
with, each other, but there were no serious incidents.
Difficulties also occurred because of the presence of
unmarked minefields in areas from which the forces were
withdrawing, especially on the Iranian side of the
border.
In
the meantime, the Secretary-General undertook
consultations with the two parties about the future of
UNIIMOG after the expiry of the two-month mandate
period. The Secretary-General's position was that after
the withdrawal of the forces had been completed, UNIIMOG
would have a continuing role to play in facilitating the
early solution of residual problems arising from the
withdrawal and in helping the parties to negotiate and
implement agreements on an area of separation and an
area of limitation of armaments. The Secretary-General
thought that the mandate should be extended for a longer
period than two months and that UNIIMOG could be reduced
to 50 to 60 observers on each side.
The
parties had divergent views on those issues. The Iraqi
side expressed a strong preference for the mandate to be
renewed for a full period of six months, with UNIIMOG
remaining at its existing strength. The Iranian
authorities refused to accept an extension of the
mandate for more than two months, although they did not
exclude the possibility of a further extension
thereafter, and insisted on a reduction to 50 to 60
observers on each side. In these circumstances, the
Secretary-General had no choice but to recommend that
the Security Council extend the mandate of UNIIMOG for a
period of two months, with a strength not exceeding 120
military observers, plus the necessary support
personnel. The Council did so on 28 November by adopting
resolution 676 (1990).
As
agreed with the parties, during that period UNIIMOG was
mandated to resolve the remaining problems on the
border, to try to arrange an exchange of information
between the parties about unmarked minefields, and to
help in the negotiation and implementation of an area of
separation and, subsequently, an area of limitation of
armaments. The reduction in the number of military
observers (to 60 on the Iranian side, 56 in Iraq and 3
in the Command Group) necessitated a further
reorganization of UNIIMOG's deployment. On each side a
small number of observers were deployed at headquarters
with approximately 15 military observers in each of the
three sectors. All former team sites were closed as
permanently manned locations and became forward patrol
bases, which were manned as the situation demanded.
Agreements on separation reached
In
January 1991, the two parties agreed to convene a
technical meeting of military experts to discuss and
resolve the questions relating to UNIIMOG's mandate that
were still outstanding. The agreement was reached
bilaterally, and the meeting itself was organized
outside the framework of the Mixed Military Working
Group that UNIIMOG had previously been trying to
establish. The meeting was attended by the Acting Chief
Military Observer of UNIIMOG. The two sides also reached
agreements on the question of disputed positions along
the internationally recognized boundaries, an area of
separation along those boundaries, and the exchange of
information on minefields. These agreements were fully
consistent with UNIIMOG's mandate and they provided for
UNIIMOG to monitor their implementation within a
specified time-frame.
The
disputed positions were all to be removed by 22 January
1991, and UNIIMOG was then to verify and confirm the
completion of the withdrawal of all forces to the
internationally recognized border described in the 1975
Treaty concerning the State Frontier and Neighbourly
Relations between Iran and Iraq. The agreements on an
area of separation provided for a one kilometre
withdrawal on both sides along the entire length of the
recognized borders. Its establishment was to take place
between 10 and 27 January, with UNIIMOG helping in the
implementation.
Due
to the outbreak of hostilities in the Persian Gulf
region in mid-January, however, the implementation of
the agreements did not proceed fully according to the
schedule. By the end of January, Iran had withdrawn 13
out of 17 disputed positions and Iraq had withdrawn 23
out of 29 such positions. There was little progress made
in relation to mine clearing and an area of separation.
Security in Iraq worsens
UNIIMOG's capacity to fulfil the role assigned to it was
seriously affected after the adoption of Security
Council resolution 678 (1990) on 29 November,
authorizing the use of all necessary means by a
multinational coalition if Iraq did not withdraw from
Kuwait by 15 January 1991. UNIIMOG undertook detailed
planning to ensure the security of its personnel without
compromising operational efficiency. With the
deterioration of the situation in the second week of
January 1991, it was decided to thin out both military
and civilian staff in Baghdad. Following the
Secretary-General's visit to Baghdad on 12B13 January, a
decision was taken to relocate UNIIMOG personnel
temporarily from Baghdad to the sectors closer to the
border. The command group moved to Tehran on 14 January.
After the outbreak of hostilities on 16 January 1991,
all remaining UNIIMOG staff in Iraq were also moved
either to Cyprus or Iran.
Despite these difficulties, the Secretary-General
recommended to the Security Council that the mandate of
UNIIMOG, set to expire at the end of January 1991, be
extended for another month, so that the Group "may
fulfil completely its important responsibilities". He
stated that the implementation of Security Council
resolution 598 (1987) as related to UNIIMOG was very
close to completion. To implement what still remained to
be done, the role required of the Secretary-General was
mainly political, and he intended to recommend how that
could be done. On 31 January, the Security Council
unanimously adopted resolution 685 (1991), extending the
mandate of UNIIMOG to 28 February.
Completion of UNIIMOG's mandate
In
the following month, as a result of the continuing
hostilities in the Persian Gulf region, UNIIMOG
continued to operate in the Iranian part of its area
only, but maintained regular contact with the Iraqi
authorities through meeting on the border. At the
beginning of February some 20 military observers from
the Iraqi side whose tours of duty were due to expire,
returned home. The balance of the observers who had come
from Iraq were temporarily relocated to Cyprus to await
a possible return to Iraq when circumstances permitted.
During that period, UNIIMOG continued to assist the
parties in the implementation of the January 1991
agreements. On 20 February, the Group reported that the
last of the disputed positions along the internationally
recognized boundaries had been withdrawn. UNIIMOG thus
completed verification and confirmation of the
withdrawal of all forces in accordance with resolution
598 (1987). Both sides informed UNIIMOG that they had
begun C and, in the case of Iraq, had completed C the
establishment of the area of separation, but UNIIMOG was
not in a position to verify that. The parties also
continued their cooperation with regard to the exchange
of information on unmarked minefields.
Reporting to the Security Council on 26 February,11 the
Secretary-General described the general situation along
the Iran-Iraq border as very calm. He also reported
"with considerable satisfaction" that the forces of the
two sides had withdrawn fully to the internationally
recognized boundaries, and that the military provisions
of resolution 598 (1987) could thus be considered
implemented. The remaining tasks under that resolution
were essentially political and therefore the
Secretary-General recommended to replace UNIIMOG with
small civilian offices in Baghdad and Tehran.
Accordingly, the Secretary-General recommended that the
Council take no action to extend the mandate of UNIIMOG.
After the Council had informed the Secretary-General of
its concurrence with the proposed arrangements, UNIIMOG
completed its mandate on 28 February 1991. At the time
of withdrawal, UNIIMOG comprised 96 military observers.
The Group also included 16 military police and a small
medical unit.
Civilian offices
The
civilian offices were established in February 1991. A
few military officers attached to them allowed the
United Nations to continue to respond promptly to
requests by either Government to investigate and help
resolve matters for which military expertise was
required. The offices were also important in the
Secretary-General's efforts to complete the
implementation of resolution 598 (1987).
In
December 1991, the Secretary-General commented on the
responsibility for the conflict, which was referred to
in resolution 598 (1987). He added, however, that no
useful purpose would be served in pursuing the matter
further. Rather, in the interest of peace, he suggested
it would be imperative to move on with the settlement
process.
By
the end of 1992, the offices in Baghdad and Tehran were
phased out, and the Permanent Missions of Iran and Iraq
became the channels of communication between those
countries and the United Nations for matters related to
resolution 598 (1987).
Source -
United Nations |
