LATE SECTION CREGIONAL) 18/5/80
PAGE TWO
AMERICANS.
THE MINISTERS EMPHASISED THAT THE SOLE OBJECTIVE OF SANCTIONS WAS TO HASTEN THE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES AND THEY REAFFIRMED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO RESPECT IRANIAN INDEPENDENCE AND RIGHT TO SELF-
DETERMINATION.
UN INITIATIVE WELCOMED
IN PARTICULAR, MINISTERS WELCOMED THE REVIVING BY UN SECRETARY GENERAL KURT WALDHEIM OF THE UN COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY HEADED BY MR AJIB DAOUDY WHO WILL NOW RESUME CONTACTS WITH THE IRANIAN GOVERN- MENT. THE MINISTERS STATED THAT THEY WOULD REMAIN IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE UN COMMISSION'S WORK TO SEE IF IT PROGRESSED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ENABLE THEM TO SUSPEND SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN.
THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS WHICH ENTER INTO FORCE ON 22 (TWENTYTWO) MAY FOLLOW EARLIER EC MEASURES AGAINST IRAN ANNOUNCED A MONTH AGO. THESE WERE A REDUCTION OF EC DIPLOMATIC STAFFS IN TEHERAN, A CUT- DOWN IN THE NUMBERS OF IRANIAN DIPLOMATS ACCREDITED TO EC COUNTRIES, THE IMPOSITION OF VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR IRANIAN NATIONALS VISITING EC TERRITORIES AND A BAN ON SALE OF ARMS OR DEFENCE EQUIPMENT TO IRAN. (LPS)
NOTE TO DESKS: NO ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF TEXT OF MINISTERIAL STATE- MENT AVAILABLE IN NAPLES.
ENDS LATE SECTION (REGIONAL) ITEM ONE. L.P.S.
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