Annex
Statement by the Twelve States members of the European Community on the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait
The Community and its member States have followed with apprehension during the last weeks the increase in tension in the dispute between Iraq and some Arab countries. They have welcomed the diplomatic efforts that the Arab countries and the Arab League itself were deploying and refrained from any stance and initiative in order to preserve such initiatives from any interference.
Following the breakdown of talks held at Jeddah under Arab auspices, the Community and its member States are now gravely concerned at the latest development in the dispute and, in particular, at the military aggression carried out by Iraq against Kuwait, which is not only a hostile action to a neighbour country, but also a dangerous threat to peace and stability in the region.
The Community and its member States strongly condemn the use of force by a member State of the United Nations against the territorial integrity of another State; this constitutes a breach of the Charter of the United Nations, and an unacceptable means to solve international differences. They therefore fully support the resolution adopted today by the Security Council.
The Community and its member States call upon all Governments to condemn this unjustified use of force and to work for an early re-establishment of the conditions for the immediate resumption of peaceful negotiations. In this light, they ask for an immediate withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait territory.
The Community and its member States will keep the matter under review and are ready to consider further initiatives.
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