UNIIMOG mandate terminated by Security Council.

In consultations held on 27 February, Security Council members accepted Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar's recommendation to let the mandate of the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG) expire. The recommendation was contained in the Secretary-General's report (S/222263) of 26 February.

The Secretary-General came to this conclusion, having reported the completion of the withdrawal of forces of the two sides to the internationally recognized boundaries, as described in the 13 June 1975 Treaty Concerning the State Frontier and Neighbourly Relations between Iran and Iraq and its protocols and annexes.

There remained the question, he said, of establishing an area of separation and an area of limitation of armaments which, pending negotiation of a comprehensive settlement, could help reduce tension and build confidence between the parties. Both had informed UNIIMOG that they had begun--and in Iraq's case, had completed--the establishment of the area of separation.

The Observer Group was established on 9 August 1988 to supervise a UN-sponsored cease-fire and troop withdrawals in the area. On 25 February, its strength was 114 observers from 18 countries.