20 February 2001
The chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) regrets the air raids near Baghdad on 16 February 2000. The chair wishes to express, on behalf of the movement, condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives in this attack.
The chairman also wishes to reiterate that the movement is committed to the principle of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all member states.
The movement wishes to reaffirm that it deplores the imposition and continued military enforcement of "no fly zones" on Iraq by individual countries and reiterates that this imposition is without any authorisation from the United Nations Security Council or General Assembly.
In order to alleviate the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian condition of the Iraqi population due to sanctions, all parties should adhere to the relevant Security Council resolutions for an immediate and durable political solution to the situation in Iraq.
The chair urges all concerned to continue to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis based on the principles and decisions of the movement. The chair further urges member states of the NAM and ll other concerned parties to deploy all efforts to establish peace, security and stability in the region through diplomatic rather than military means.
For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Issued by: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs.