Iran-Iraq peace try in UN Council

The Security Council was expected to adopt a draft resolution Friday prepared by its nonaligned members on ending the Iran-Iraq conflict. But Monitor UN correspondent Louis Wiznitzer says the vote was considered only a Council holding operation. The decision is, in fact, a gesture to resolve the conflict. At the same time, the resolution attempts not to offend either Iran or Iraq by carefully balancing the UN Charter principles that have been violated by both countries.

Among the points incorporated by the resolution are calls upon both Iran and Iraq to refrain from the use of force and to respect each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. The resolution also requests Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim to enter into immediate consultation with Iran and Iraq to establish a framework for negotiations for the peaceful solution of the conflict.

No one here seriously expects the resolutions of the Security Council to be put into effect as long as Iraq and Iran determine that it is not in their interests to stop the war.