Iraq, Kuwait accord a step on the right path, Kuwaiti FM

The accord concluded by Iraq and Kuwait during last month's Arab summit in Beirut (Lebanon), is "a step on the right path," Kuwaiti state minister for foreign affairs, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed said.

The accord reached at the Arab summit regarding the problems between Iraq and Kuwait is a step on the right path towards the establishment of security and stability in the Gulf region, Sheikh Sabah said in a letter to United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

The Kuwaiti foreign minister is visiting Morocco, where he handed King Mohammed VI a message from the ruler of Kuwait.

In the letter a copy of which was sent to MAP, the official voiced satisfaction over "the positive climate that helped the summit adopt the said accord."

Kuwait asked the United Nations to include the letter as an official Security Council document.

Iraq should not restrict itself to the impact of the accord on the emergence of a climate of trust and serenity between the two countries. It should rather translate the new situation into tangible steps regarding issues that have always adversely impacted the trust building, said the Kuwaiti letter.

Kuwait also called for cooperation regarding the issue of Kuwaiti POWs and missing people and stressed the need to restore all Kuwaiti properties, including the state archives. This gesture will translate into reality the respect by the Iraqi government of the history of Kuwait, Kuwait said, recalling that Iraq made pledges in this connection during the Beirut Summit.