Talks aimed at final peace settlement between Iran and Iraq continue; UNIIMOG mandate renewed.

Talks aimed at achieving a final peace settlement between Iran and Iraq through full implementation of Security Council resolution 598 (1987) were held in New York in February. The mandate of the United Nations IranIraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG), which monitors the cease-fire between the two countries, was renewed until 30 September 1989.

On 10 February, the SecretaryGeneral met Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati and Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz together, after separate meetings with each.

Mr. Perez de Cuellar said that the "pursuance of efforts" aimed at achieving the implementation of resolution 598 was discussed at the joint ministerial meeting. He hoped that "a new impetus" would be given to the ongoing peace process.

In an 8 March speech at Kathmandu to the Council of World Affairs and the United Nations Association of Nepal, the Secretary-General said there were still outstanding problems in resolving differences between Iran and Iraq, but there were positive developments too. Both sides had recently agreed to "confidence-building measures" intended to promote mutual trust. It was essential that those be acted upon.

At the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on 17 February, Mr. Perez de Cuellar said that Iran and Iraq were working out their remaining disagreements in direct talks under UN auspices.

Three rounds of direct peace negotiations preceded the SecretaryGeneral's meetings with Mr. Aziz and Mr. Velayati in New York in February. Those negotiations had begun in Geneva on 25 August. 1988, with a second round in October in New York and a third in November again in Geneva.

In the early part of March, talks were held in New York in preparation for the next round of meetings at the ministerial level. The talks were held between jan K. Eliasson, the Secretary-General's Personal Representative on issues pertaining to the implementation of resolution 598, and Iraqi and Iranian representatives.

Mr. Eliasson said on 10 March that there had been very thorough and intensive discussions". He had been satisfied with the talks, which had been about the shape and framework of the forthcoming ministerial meetings. The talks had dealt not only with agenda and procedure, but also included questions of substance. "We are making some progress", he said, "in defining the framework of the talks", adding that he hoped that that progress would continue and would be evident at the political level.

On 22 March, the...