Iraq and Russia Reach Agreement on Kuwait Recognition

As the United States continues to lobby for a Security Council resolution to restrain Iraq from further threatening the Persian Gulf region, Iraq and Russia have announced an agreement that would lead to Iraqi recognition of Kuwait. The accord, reached in talks between President Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Russian Foreign Minister Andrei V. Kozyrev, would also recognize Kuwait's borders as demarcated by the United Nations. The agreement is linked to the lifting of some of the international sanctions imposed on Iraq within six months.

Key Takeaways:

• Iraq has agreed to recognize Kuwait and its borders, as demarcated by the United Nations, in exchange for the easing of some international sanctions within six months.
• The agreement was reached between President Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Russian Foreign Minister Andrei V. Kozyrev, who was in Iraq to defuse tensions in the region.
• The United States and its allies have stated that there will be no bargaining between the United Nations and Iraq over the terms of easing sanctions.
• Under current resolutions, Iraq must unconditionally recognize Kuwait and return stolen Kuwaiti property, account for Kuwaitis still missing from the 1990 Iraqi invasion, and meet other conditions.
• Madeleine K. Albright, the chief United States delegate to the United Nations, accused the French Defense Minister of "giving comfort to a brutal dictator who is a repeat offender" in a war of words over how to deal with President Hussein.
• The American officials have begun circulating draft language for a resolution that would demand a return of Iraqi troops to their original positions and threaten serious consequences if President Hussein menaced Kuwait again.

Statistics:

• Iraq owes French companies and French Government insurers nearly $5 billion, a situation that has been thought to be behind France's willingness to begin easing sanctions on Iraq.
• A weapons-monitoring system is now functioning and a report to the Security Council on its operation is due in six months.
• The United States began circulating draft language for a resolution that would demand a return of Iraqi troops to their original positions.
• The draft language now being circulated for discussion by Ms. Albright would threaten serious consequences if President Hussein menaced Kuwait again.
• The Americans seem confident that the British and French could be convinced to support a resolution.

Sources:

• The New York Times
• Reuters
• Agence France-Presse