Dec.14, 2003: Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly condemned the killing of Kuwaiti and third-country prisoners of war (POWs) by the previous Iraqi regime and called for the prosecution of the perpetrators. "I strongly condemn the killing of Kuwaiti and third country nationals by the previous Iraqi regime. The removal from Kuwait of civilians - men and women - their execution in cold blood in remote sites in Iraq , and a decade-long cover-up of the truth, constitute a grave violation of human rights and international humanitarian law," Annan said in a report to the Security Council. "Those responsible for these horrendous crimes, particularly those who ordered these executions, must be brought to justice," he added.
Annan's report was issued two days after the Iraqi Governing Council established a war crimes tribunal to try former president Saddam Hussein, even in absentia, and top members of his regime. The report is based on findings by his high-level coordinator for Kuwaiti detainees and stolen property, Yuli Vorontsov, who has been following both issues for almost four years. Annan said in his report that after "many years of manoeuvring and denial by the previous government of Iraq , a grim truth is unveiling itself." He said the discovery of mass graves in Iraq containing the mortal remains of Kuwaitis is a "gruesome and devastating" development.
Attached to the report are pictures of search, soil removal, cleanup and exhumation procedures at Samawa and Karbela, clearly showing human remains with bullet-entry markings in the skulls. "I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those persons and to the State of Kuwait", Annan said. While hope has not faded that some of the 605 persons in question will be found alive, he noted, "The prospects for this to happen are diminishing," adding that there may also be cases of individuals whose fate will remain unknown for many years to come, if it is ever to emerge."
On the question of stolen property, Annan said "I regret that the Kuwaiti archives and Kuwaiti military equipment have not been returned to the country. I trust that the Iraqi Governing Council, the Coalition Provisional Authority and the special group established by the US will maintain their commitment to the search and return of Kuwaiti property and archives."