Security Council resolution 666 (1990) [on the situation regarding foodstuffs in Iraq and Kuwait]
Symbol: S/RES/666(1990)
Date: 1990-09-13
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/45 [89] IRAQ--KUWAIT
Subjects: International Committee of the Red Cross|UN. Security Council Committee Established by Resolution 661 (1990) concerning the Situation between Iraq and Kuwait|UN. Secretary-General|Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (1949)|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|SANCTIONS|IRAQ|FOOD AID|FOOD SUPPLY|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|IRAQ|KUWAIT|IRAQ-KUWAIT SITUATION
Votes in favour: 13
Votes against: 2
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: CANADA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: CÔTE D'IVOIRE
vote: yes
country: COLOMBIA
vote: yes
country: CUBA
vote: no
country: ETHIOPIA
vote: yes
country: FINLAND
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: ROMANIA
vote: yes
country: USSR
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: YEMEN
vote: no
country: ZAIRE
vote: yes

Resolution 666 (1990)
of 13 September 1990

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolution 661 (1990) of 6 August 1990,
paragraphs 3 (c) and 4 of which apply, except in humanitarian circumstances, to foodstuffs,

Recognizing that circumstances may arise in which it
will be necessary for foodstuffs to be supplied to the
civilian population in Iraq or Kuwait in order to relieve
human suffering,

Noting that in this respect the Security Council Committee established by resolution 661 (1990) concerning the
situation between Iraq and Kuwait has received communications from several Member States,

Emphasizing that it is for the Security Council, alone or
acting through the Committee, to determine whether humanitarian circumstances have arisen,

Deeply concerned that Iraq has failed to comply with its
obligations under Security Council resolution 664 (1990)
of 18 August 1990 in respect of the safety and well-being
of third-State nationals, and reaffirming that Iraq retains
full responsibility in this regard under international humanitarian law including, where applicable, the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,'°5

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United
Nations,

1. Decides that in order to make the necessary determination whether or not, for the purposes of paragraphs 3
(c) and 4 of resolution 661 (1990), humanitarian circumstances have arisen, the Security Council Committee established by resolution 661 (1990) concerning the situation
between Iraq and Kuwait shall keep the situation regarding
foodstuffs in Iraq and Kuwait under constant review;

2. Expects Iraq to comply with its obligations under
resolution 664 (1990) in respect of third-State nationals
and reaffirms that Iraq remains fully responsible for their
safety and well-being in accordance with international
humanitarian law including, where , the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
in Time of War, of 12 August 1949; 105 

3. Requests, for the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2
above, that the Secretary-General seek urgently, and on a
continuing basis, information from relevant United Nations and other appropriate humanitarian agencies and all
other sources on the availability of food in Iraq and Kuwait, such information to be communicated by the Secretary-General to the Committee regularly;

4. Also requests that in seeking and supplying such
information particular attention be paid to such categories
of persons who might suffer specially, such as children
under 15 years of age, expectant mothers, maternity cases,
the sick and the elderly;

5. Decides that if the Committee, after receiving the
reports from the Secretary-General, determines that circumstances have arisen in which there is an urgent humanitarian need to supply foodstuffs to Iraq or Kuwait in order
to relieve human suffering, it will report promptly to the
Council its decision as to how such need should be met;

6. Directs the Committee that in formulating its decisions it should bear in mind that foodstuffs should be
provided through the United Nations in co-operation with
the International Committee of the Red Cross or other
appropriate humanitarian agencies and distributed by them
or under their supervision, in order to ensure that they
reach the intended beneficiaries;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to use his good offices to facilitate the delivery and distribution of foodstuffs
to Kuwait and Iraq in accordance with the provisions of
the present resolution and other relevant resolutions;

8. Recalls that resolution 661 (1990) does not apply to
supplies intended strictly for medical purposes, but in this
connection recommends that medical supplies should be
exported under the strict supervision of the Government of
the exporting State or by appropriate humanitarian agencies.

Adopted at the 2939th meeting by
13 votes to 2 (Cuba and Yemen).




105 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol, 75, No. 973.