Madam President, failure to achieve any permanent settlement in the Gulf region since the end of the Gulf War has left large numbers of people in a state of permanent insecurity or inescapable misery and deprivation. The Kurds of Northern Iraq, the Marsh Arabs, and many other Iraqi citizens who have been the long-suffering victims of the Iraqi military dictatorship are continually at risk from new oppressive policies or military adventures which also threaten the citizens of neighbouring countries, like Kuwait.

Sanctions do not constitute any satisfactory long-term arrangement. In fact, they do not really fall upon Saddam Hussein and his henchmen but upon those whom they are oppressing, adding to their miseries. We cannot justify an indefinite ban on medical and food supplies which are crucifying the poor. What is urgently needed, therefore, is for the Council, through the United Nations, together with the United States and other allies, to take peaceful steps designed to seek a permanent settlement guaranteeing Iraq's neighbours protection against aggression and providing Kurds, Marsh Arabs and others at risk with the basic human and political rights they require.

It is not enough to sit back and wait: there is a need for specific initiatives aiming to promote the possibility of a peaceful settlement.

We appeal specifically to the Council for action, bearing in mind the appalling atrocities carried out over many years by Saddam Hussein. Initiatives taken by others elsewhere in the Middle East began the current peace process which we all hope will lead to a permanent peace despite Hamas. A parallel process, appropriate to the region, needs to be started in the Gulf area not only to end the suffering of so many people but also to achieve a more stable situation in which peace will, I hope, become more secure. We appeal to the Council to take action on these issues.