Iraq and Kuwait Discuss Fate of 600 Missing Since Gulf War

Iraqi and Kuwaiti officials held their first talks in four years Wednesday on the fate of more than 600 people missing since the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

Delegates from the nations refused to speak to reporters after the five-hour meeting.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which sponsored the talks in its offices here, said the two sides agreed to meet again Jan. 22.

Red Cross spokesman Muin Kassis described the talks as “very constructive and positive.”

Kuwait says Baghdad must account for more than 600 Kuwaitis and other nationals who disappeared in the emirate after Iraq invaded the country in 1990. Iraq insists that it is holding no such detainees.

In recent years, Iraq has accused Kuwait of failing to account for more than 1,000 Iraqis who disappeared during the Gulf crisis. Kuwait says it can’t be held to account for people who disappeared during Iraq’s occupation.

Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. It was evicted in February 1991 by a U.S.-led coalition.