U.N. Secretary General's successful mission

The following is the text of the letter sent to the Secretary General of the United Nations by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Environment, Dr. George W Vella.

23 February 1998

H E Kofi A Annan
Secretary General
United Nations Headquarters
New York

Excellency,

I have learnt, earlier today, with immense satisfaction that your initiative and efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the crisis between the United Nations and the Government of Iraq have been successful.

On behalf of the Government of Malta, allow me to express to you my sincere congratulations on the success of your mission to the Gulf, which I believe to be a triumph of the force of diplomacy over the use of force.

The use of military force against Iraq would only have complicated an already difficult situation which would inevitably have resulted in further human suffering for innocent Iraqi People. At the same time, my Government continues to support all United Nations authorised measures designed to stem the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

George W. Vella
Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Environment