invaded Kuwait; a few days later it set up a qovernment at its service. But despite the adoption as early as 2 August of resolution 660 (1990). demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraq, and despite the withdrawal announcement made a short time la ter by that country, the occum tion has continued. Yesterday Iraq took are more step by annatncing the merger of Iraq and Kuwait. That is an extemely serious decision taken in violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. It calls for a total condemnation an cur part, and it led us to support without reservation the resolution just adopted unanimously by the Council. Hy country will of course look with favour on subsequent decisions that will be taken to ensure the implementa ticn of resolutions 660 (1990), 661 (1990) and 662 (1990). Mr. L&MINSKY (Unicm of Soviet Socialist Republics) (interpretation from Russ ian) : There is deep, continuing alarm and concern in the Soviet Union over the uninterrupted trend towards a rapid qrowth of confrontation in the Persian Gulf area, caused by the armed invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, and also by yesterday’s annaoncement of the so-called merger of these two States , and by the deployment of United States naval and air forces in Saudi Arabia. This wan mettticned in the statement made today by the Ministry of Foreign Affair8 of the USSR. Despite the efforts of the international community - and that includes the Soviet Union - undertaken in the daye following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, Iraq not only has not withdrawn Pts forces from Kuwait but has actually declared its annexation. JSM/Q,e S/PV. 293 4 12 (MK. Lozinsky, USSR) ':t is hard and bitter for us to talk this way about Iraq’s latest actions. 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a political crisis and conflict in the Persian Gulf region, specifically the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and the subsequent actions taken by the international community. The focus is on the political and diplomatic efforts to address the situation, rather than on economic or social issues.

**Category**
International humanitarian aid and relief, International relations