HC Deb 19 May 1980 vol 985 cc43-4
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- 1. At their meeting in Naples on 17 and 18 May 1980, the Foreign Ministers of the Nine Member States of the European Community reconsidered, in accordance with their declaration of 22 April, the situation resulting from the detention of the American hostages
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in Iran, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.
- 2. The Ministers examined the information emanating from Iran. While noting that there were a number of developments which could be important for the release of the hostages, in particular the completion of the second round of Parliamentary elections and the forthcoming convening of the Majlis, they were obliged to recognise that no decisive progress leading to the release of the hostages had been made since 22 April last.
- 3. Consequently, they decided immediately to apply the measures provided for in the Security Council draft resolution of 10 January 1980, according to jointly agreed conditions and procedures. They agreed, in particular, that all contracts concluded after 4 November 1979 will be affected by these measures. They will continue to consult closely pursuant to Art 224 of the Treaty of Rome.
- 4. The sole purpose of these measures is to hasten the release of the hostages. At the same time, the Ministers reaffirmed their intention to respect the independence of Iran and the right of the Iranian people to determine their own future.
- 5. The Ministers expressed great satisfaction at the decision of the UN Secretary-General to entrust to Mr. Adib Daoudi, member of the UN Commission of Inquiry, the task of entering into contact with the Iranian Government in order to enable the Commission to resume its work and to secure the resolution of the crisis. They fully support the Secretary-General and will remain in constant touch with him in order to establish whether the progress of the UN mission is such as to enable them rapidly to suspend the measures taken in respect of Iran.