THE SITUATION BE'IWEEN IRAN AND IRAQ30

Decision
At its 2976th meeting, on 31 January 1991, the Council decided to invite the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq to participate without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "lhe situation between Iran and Iraq: report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (S/22148)".9
Resolution 685 (1991)
or 31 January 1991
The Sewrity Council,
Recalling its resolutions 598 (1987) of 20 July 1987, 619 (1988) of 9 August 1988, 631 (1989) of 8 February 1989, 642 (1989) of29 September 1989,651 (1990) of29 March 1990,671 (1990) of 27 September 1990 and 676 (1990) of 28 November 1990,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group of 28 January 1991,31 and taking note of the observations expressed therein,
1. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group for a further period of one month, that is, until 28 February 1991, as recommended by the Secretary-General;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to submit, during February 1991, a report on his further consultations with the parties about the future of the Group. together with his recommendations on this matter.
Adopted unanimowly a1 the 29761h meeting.
Decisions
In a letter dated 26 February 1991 addressed to the President of the Security C.-<>uncil,32 the Secretary-General referred to paragraph 26 of his report on the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group of 28 January 1991,31 in which he stated that after the implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Security Council resolution 598 (1987) of20 July 1987 had been completed, he intended to begin contacts with the parties on the manner in which he would pursue the other tasks entrusted to him by that resolution. He stated that these tasks envisaged a political role for the Secretary-General. In particular, some of the remaining paragraphs of the resolution required him to explore certain issues in consultation with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq. Another paragraph requested him to examine, in consultation with those two countries as well as with other States of the region, measures to enhance the security and stability of the region. In the

Secretary-General's opinion such tasks would be facilitated by the establishment in the region, and particularly in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq, of civilian offices. which with appropriate Headquarters support would help him to carry on his work and to have a better assessment of development<~ in the area. For the reasons stated in the Observations section of his report of26 February 1991 on the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group,33 he had decided to recommend that the mission's mandate not be extended. At the same time, the continued presence of a few military observers attached to those civilian offices which would be located in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq would allow the Organization to respond promptly to any request from the parties to investigate matters for which military expertise would be required. The Secretary-General trusted that this arrangement would meet with the concurrence of the members of the Council. He requested the President to bring the matter to the attention of the members of the Security Council.
In a letter dated 28 February 1991,34 the President of the Security Council informed the Secretary-General as follows:
"I have the honour to inform you that your letter dated 26 February 1991n was brought to the attention of the members of the Security Council, who considered the matter in consultations held on 27 February 1991.
"lhe members ofthe Council agreed with the observations and recommendations contained in the report of 26 February 1991 on the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group for the period 28 January 1991 to 25 February 199133 and concurred with the arrangements proposed in the report and the letter.
"'The members of the C-Ouncil express their gratitude to you persona11y and their appreciations to the members ofthe Group on the successful completion oftheirimportant task.''
In a letter dated 23 May 199115 addressed to the President of the Security Council, for the attention of the members ofthe Council, the Secretary-General stated that following his last report on the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group, dated 26 February 1991,33 and the follow-up exchange ofletters dated 2632 and 28 February 1991,34 he had continued his efforts towards the full implementation of Council resolu.tion 598 (1987) of 20 July 1987. In this context he wished to inform the C..mmcil that, in pursuance ofthe mandate entrusted to him by paragraph 7 of that resolution, and in consultation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he had asked former Under-Secretary-General Abdulrahim A. Farah to lead a team of experts who would make an exploratory visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the end of May. It was anticipated that the team would remain in the area for an initial period of two to three weeks. The Secretary-General also stated that in the implementation of his mandate under paragraph 7 of resolution 598 (1987) he was also in contact with the Government of Iraq.