Britain Spearheads UN Resolution for Sanctions Relief in Return for Arms Inspections

Strategic Insights -

Britain is pushing for a UN vote on a resolution that offers Iraq sanctions relief in exchange for a resumption of arms inspections, with 11 out of 15 Security Council members supporting the draft. The proposal seeks to revive the UN arms inspection system, which collapsed a year ago after a Western air offensive against Iraq. The draft resolution, backed by Britain and the United States, represents a "grand bargain" that could provide Iraq with tangible hope of a suspension of the economic embargo imposed after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Key Takeaways:

  • The draft resolution offers Iraq sanctions relief in exchange for a resumption of arms inspections, including immediate, unconditional, and unrestricted access to all areas and facilities.
  • The new UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMVIC) would have the same broad powers of access as the previous UN Special Commission (Unscom).
  • Britain and the United States insist that Iraq must disclose its weapons secrets, including its capability to build ballistic missiles and maintain a stockpile of germ agents or VX nerve gas.
  • Russia, China, and France are resisting the proposal, with Russia and China holding veto power in the Security Council.
  • Even if the resolution is passed, Iraq is not expected to accept the return of UN weapons inspectors immediately, with diplomats suggesting it may take years for Baghdad to accept the "oil-for-food" scheme.

Statistics:

  • 15 members of the Security Council, with 11 supporting the draft resolution.
  • 5 years elapsed before Baghdad accepted the present UN "oil-for-food" scheme.
  • 120-day periods of sanctions suspension will be triggered by the completion of the "key remaining tasks".
  • 60 days from the arrival of inspectors for the new body to draw up a list of information that the Iraqi Government must provide about its earlier efforts to make weapons of mass destruction.