European Arms Embargo on Iraq

European Arms Embargo on Iraq

Number of document: 90/297
Title: Statement Concerning the Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq
Date of issue: 04 Aug 1990
Place of issue: Brussels;Rome
Presidency: Italy
Status of document: Press statement

The Community and its Member States reiterate their unreserved condemnation of the brutal Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and their demand for an immediate and
unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces from the territory of Kuwait, already expressed in their statement of August 2.

They consider groundless and unacceptable the reasons provided by the Iraqi Government to justify the military aggression against Kuwait, and they will
refrain from any act which may be considered as implicit recognition of authorities imposed in Kuwait by the invaders.

In order to safeguard the interests of the legitimate Government of Kuwait they have decided to take steps to protect all assets belonging directly or indirectly to the State of Kuwait.

The Community and its Member States confirm their full support for UN Security Council Resolution 660 and call on Iraq to comply with the provisions of that
resolution. If the Iraqi authorities fail so to comply, the Community and its Member States will work for, support and implement a Security Council
resolution to introduce mandatory and comprehensive sanctions. As of now, they have decided to adopt the following:

- an embargo on oil imports from Iraq and Kuwait;

- appropriate measures aimed at freezing Iraqi assets in the territory of
Member States;

- an embargo on sales of arms and other military equipment to Iraq;

- the suspension of any cooperation in the military sphere with Iraq;

- the suspension of technical and scientific cooperation with Iraq;

- the suspension of the application to Iraq of the System of Generalized Preferences.

The Community and its Member States reiterate their firm conviction that disputes between States should be settled by peaceful means, and are prepared
to participate in any effort to defuse the tension in the area.

They are in close contact with the governments of several Arab countries and follow with utmost attention the discussion within the Arab League and the Gulf
Cooperation Council. They hope that Arab initiatives will contribute to the restoration of international legality and of the legitimate Government of
Kuwait. The Community and its Member States are ready to lend their full support to such initiatives and to efforts to resolve by negotiations the
differences between the States concerned.

The Community and its Member States are carefully monitoring the situation of EC nationals in Iraq and in Kuwait; they maintain strict coordination in order
to guarantee their safety.

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