Algiers Accord - Definition and Overview

The Algiers Accord was signed on 6th March, 1975 in Algeria by the Shah of Iran and Saddam Hussein as Vice-President of Iraq and Vice-Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council or RCC. It stated:

• Carry out a final delineation of their land boundaries in accordance with the Constantinople Protocol of 1913 and the Proceedings of the Border Delimitation Commission of 1914.

• Demarcate their river boundaries according to the thalweg line.

• The two parties shall restore security and mutual confidence along their joint borders. They shall also commit themselves to carry out a strict and effective observation of their borders so as to put an end to all infiltrations wherever they may come from.

• The two parties have also agreed to consider the arrangements as inseparable elements of a solution. Consequently, any infringement of one of its components shall naturally contradict the spirit of the Algiers Accord. The two parties shall remain in constant contact with President Houari Boumedienne of Algeria, who shall provide Algeria's brotherly assistance whenever needed in order to apply these resolutions.

However this peace did not last long. Only five years later the Iran-Iraq War began over the very thing that the two powers had agreed a peace on - the Shatt al Arab waterway.