Iranian airbus tragedy

US Department of State Bulletin, Sept, 1988

We must not lose sight of one basic fact: Iraq has declared its readiness to comply with Resolution 598 as a basis for a settlement, and Iran has not. Instead of expressing willingness to comply with the resolution and negotiating its implementation in good faith, Iran has played for time and maneuvered for diplomatic advantage-and the Iranian people have paid a heavy price.

We respect Iran's right to air its grievances. But Iran cannot have it both ways. Iran cannot simultaneously complain to this body and defy it.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has refused to say plainly and clearly that it Will comply with the mandatory decision of the Security Council. Iran must not be permitted to choose those provisions of Resolution 598 it likes and ignore the others. Nor can Iraq be permitted to rest on verbal adherence to Resolution 598, while avoiding cooperation with the Secretary General in finding practical ways to implement the resolution.

As for the immediate matter at hand-the unfortunate destruction of Iran Air #655-many of the circumstances remain unclear. Our own military investigation is underway. We will also cooperate with any investigation that is conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an we trust that the Government of Iran will do the same. We want all the relevant facts to be brought to light as quickly as possible.

But one thing is clear: The U.S.S. Vincennes acted in self-defense. This tragic accident occurred against a back drop of repeated, unjustified, unprovoked, and unlawful Iranian attacks against U.S. merchant shipping and armed forces, beginning with the mine attack on the U.S. S. Bridgeton in July 1987. It occurred in the midst of a naval attack initiated by Iranian vessels against a neutral vessel and, subsequently, against the Vincennes when it came to the aid of the innocent ship in distress.

Despite these hostilities, Iranian authorities failed to divert Iran Air #655 from the area. They allowed a civilian aircraft loaded with passengers to proceed on a path over a warship engaged in battle. That was irresponsible and a tragic error.

The information available to Capt. Will Rogers, the captain of the Vincennes, indicated that an Iranian military aircraft was approaching his ship with hostile intentions. After seven unanswered warnings, he did what he had to do to protect his ship and the lives of his crew. As a military commander, his first duty and responsibility is to protect his men and his ship.

The United States has never willfully acted to endanger innocent civilians, nor will it ever. But I can also assure you that the United States will never put its military in a dangerous situation and deny them tbe right to defend themselves.

We are all accustomed by now to hearing irresponsible charges from the Iranian Government. There have been many particularly egregious statements concerning this tragic incident.

I will not dignify with a response the charge that we deliberately destroyed Iran Air #655. The Foreign Minister of Iran knows better. He knows that this tragedy was an accident. He also knows that by allowing a civilian airliner to fly into the area of an engagement between Iranian warships and U.S. forces in the gulf, Iran must bear a substantial measure of responsibility for what has happened.