Kuwait reiterated Thursday that it is following with great concern the rise in tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the danger of military escalation following the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles by North Korea, saying that it is one of the oldest and most serious issues.
This was in a statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi before the UN General Assembly, under the topic of strengthening the UN system, that discussed the use of the veto by Russia and China in the Security Council (UNSC) on a US draft resolution on North Korea.
North Korea launched ballistic missiles during the past few days, he pointed out, underlining that Kuwait condemns the launch of these ballistic missiles since they constitute a violation of UNSC resolutions as well as a threat to regional and international peace and security.
The use of the veto by some of the five permanent members in many cases contributed to undermining the decision-making process in the UNSC, which in some cases led to the UNSC’s inability to carry out its responsibilities and generated a state of frustration among people for not taking the necessary measures to maintain international security, he said.
They believe that the veto, this exceptional and rare privilege enjoyed by only five countries in the world, is a responsibility first and foremost, he mentioned.
He went on to say that they followed the course of the UNSC session that was held on May 26, under the subject of non-proliferation and North Korea, as they reviewed the report presented by the UNSC’s president regarding the use of the veto. There is division and disagreement in the UNSC on the North Korea file for 15 years.
In this context, he underscored the importance of a peaceful solution to this crisis in accordance with treaties and agreements concluded between the concerned parties, as well as relevant UNSC resolutions, along with the positive engagement of all parties in dialogue and negotiations, in order to reach a peaceful solution conducive to the establishment of stability, peace and security on the peninsula.
He stressed the need to adhere to the Charter of the UN, its purposes and principles, which stipulate good neighborliness, resolving disputes by peaceful means, and refraining from using force or threatening to use force against other countries.
He reiterated Kuwait’s principled and solid stance on non-proliferation issues, which is to condemn the use of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction anywhere, anytime and by any party, as a grave violation of international law.
He also underlined the need to preserve the international non-proliferation regime, reiterating his conviction in this regard that security, safety and stability in the world will not be achieved without the complete and final disarmament of nuclear weapons.
Al-Otaibi hoped that the UNSC would be able to restore its unity towards non-proliferation issues, including those related to North Korea, and that the UNSC would assume its responsibilities for maintaining international peace and security.
Source: Kuwait News Agency