Clinton's Envoy Meets with British Officials to Maintain Pressure on Iraq

Strategic Insights -

President Clinton's envoy to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, met with British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd to discuss widening opposition to relaxing economic sanctions against Iraq. The meeting took place ahead of a scheduled mid-March review of the sanctions, which were imposed in August 1990 following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Albright's visit is part of a tour that will also take her to Rome, Prague, and Muscat, the capital of Oman. Albright will also visit Buenos Aires and Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, next week.

Key Takeaways:

  • Madeleine Albright, President Clinton's envoy to the United Nations, met with British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd on February 24 to discuss maintaining pressure on Iraq.
  • The meeting aimed to widen opposition to relaxing economic sanctions against Iraq, which were imposed in August 1990 after Iraq invaded Kuwait.
  • Albright's visit is part of a tour that will take her to Rome, Prague, and Muscat, the capital of Oman, as well as Buenos Aires and Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital.
  • Albright and Hurd agreed on the need to maintain pressure on Iraq, citing President Saddam Hussein's untrustworthiness and the failure to meet UN conditions for lifting sanctions.
  • The talks took place ahead of a scheduled mid-March review of the sanctions, during which Britain and the United States will likely oppose easing the sanctions.
  • France and Russia have advocated easing the sanctions, while China has been wavering on the issue.
  • Albright does not plan to visit Paris, Moscow, or Beijing as part of her tour.

Statistics:

  • Sanctions were imposed against Iraq four days after its invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.
  • The scheduled mid-March review of the sanctions is expected to feature opposition to easing the sanctions from Britain and the United States.

Sources:

  • "LONDON, Feb. 24 President Clinton's envoy to the United Nations met with British officials Friday in a bid to widen opposition to relaxing economic sanctions against Iraq."
  • No specific dates are provided for Madeleine Albright's visit to Muscat, the capital of Oman, but it is mentioned as part of her tour.
  • "A Foreign Office spokesman said Hurd and Albright 'agreed on the need to maintain pressure on Iraq.' 'Iraqi President Saddam Hussein remains untrustworthy,' the spokesman added."
  • "The leopard has not changed its spots. There is no case for relaxation of sanctions."
  • "The talks took place ahead of a scheduled mid-March review of the sanctions, which were imposed four days after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, and one day after Hurd met with Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al- Sabah, Kuwait's deputy prime minister and foreign minister."