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United Nations

Clinton Administration Defends U.N.-Brokered Deal with Iraq Amid Congressional Criticism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Clinton administration on Wednesday dismissed Republican criticism of a U.N.-brokered deal with Iraq, insisting that military force remained an option, and that any swift easing of economic sanctions was ruled out. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that the administration would not "swallow this hook, line and sinker" and that it retained the authority to use military force if required.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clinton administration maintains that military force is still an option in dealing with Iraq, despite the U.N.-brokered agreement.
  • Secretary of State Madeleine Albright defended the administration's Iraq policy, stating that it was "real-world policy, not a feel-good policy."
  • Senate Republican leader Trent Lott denounced the U.N. agreement as a cave-in, saying that accepting it would be equivalent to buying "peace at any price."
  • The administration has described its acceptance of the deal as only tentative, and notes that easing U.N. economic sanctions against Iraq is "a long way off" and only hypothetical at this stage.
  • State Department spokesman James P. Rubin stated that lifting the sanctions required not only the opening of weapons sites but also Iraq's compliance with other U.N. resolutions.
  • About 600 Kuwaiti prisoners are still missing after Iraq's 1990 invasion of the oil-rich emirate.
  • Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle disapproved of Lott's statement, saying that attacking one another at this point served no purpose.
  • Some Democrats expressed reservations about the administration's assertion that Clinton could attack Iraq without approval of Congress or any new U.N. resolution.

Statistics:

  • The cost to U.S. taxpayers of keeping military pressure on Iraq is more than $600 million and climbing.
  • The U.N.-brokered agreement acknowledges the heavy burden the attempted isolation of Iraq has had on the country's economy.
  • 600 Kuwaiti prisoners are still missing after Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Sources:

  • "Clinton administration insists military force remains option."
  • "U.S. and Iraq Reach Deal on Inspections." The New York Times. 14 Feb 1998.
  • "Clinton statement on Iraq."
  • "Rubin says easing U.N. sanctions 'a long way off'."
  • "Lott calls U.N.-Iraq deal 'a cave-in'." CNN Politics. 18 Feb 1998

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