28 October 2005, UN News Center – Members of the United Nations Security Council today condemned remarks against Israel made earlier this week by Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

President Ahmadinejad reportedly called for Israel to be wiped off the map in comments that drew immediate criticism from Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday.

In a statement to the press today on the Council's behalf, the current President of the 15-member body, Ambassador Mihnea Ioan Motoc of Romania, supported the views of the Secretary-General, who had noted that under the UN Charter, "all members have undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State."

Security Council press statement on Iran

The following press statement on Iran was delivered today (October 28, 2005) by Security Council President Mihnea Ioan Motoc ( Romania):

The members of the Security Council condemn the remarks about Israel attributed to H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The members of the Security Council support the Secretary-General's statement of 27 October noting that, under the United Nations Charter, all Members have undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISMAYED AT IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S REMARKS ON ISRAEL

The following statement was issued today (October 27, 2005) by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has read with dismay the remarks about Israel attributed to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran.

He reminds all Member States that Israel is a long-standing Member of the United Nations with the same rights and obligations as every other Member. He recalls in particular that, under the United Nations Charter, all Members have undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.

The Secretary-General had already decided to visit Iran during the next few weeks, to discuss other issues. He now intends to place the Middle East peace process, and the right of all States in the area to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force, at the top of his agenda for that visit.