Iraq, France, and Russia Seek to Ease Sanctions in the UN

Strategic Insights -

Iraq's Vice Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, is scheduled to meet with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe on September 27 to discuss progress on lifting sanctions against Baghdad. This meeting comes as part of a joint effort by France and Russia to ease economic sanctions on Iraq, a move that has been stalled due to a lack of consensus in the UN Security Council. The key conditions for lifting the sanctions include Iraq's full cooperation with the United Nations regarding a monitoring system over its weapons industry, as well as the formal recognition of Kuwait's sovereignty and borders.

Key Takeaways:

  • Iraq's Vice Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, is scheduled to meet with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe on September 27 to discuss progress on lifting sanctions against Baghdad.
  • The meeting is part of a joint effort by France and Russia to ease economic sanctions on Iraq, which have been in place since August 6, 1990.
  • The key conditions for lifting the sanctions include Iraq's full cooperation with the United Nations regarding a monitoring system over its weapons industry, as well as the formal recognition of Kuwait's sovereignty and borders.
  • Iraq is hoping for a positive report from the UN commission that monitors the country's weapons industry, which is due on October 10, to pave the way for a testing period on the monitoring system.
  • Russia has indicated its intention to send oil experts to Iraq to work on development projects once a partial lifting of the embargo is possible.
  • The United States has yet to give guarantees on its reaction to any progress made by Iraq in implementing UN sanctions.

Statistics:

  • Iraq's economic sanctions have been in place since August 6, 1990.
  • The UN Security Council reviews the sanctions every two months.
  • Iraq's Vice Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, will meet with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe on September 27.
  • A positive report from the UN commission on Iraq's weapons industry is due on October 10.
  • Russia has indicated its intention to send oil experts to Iraq to work on development projects once a partial lifting of the embargo is possible.
  • Iraq is expected to recognize Kuwait's sovereignty and borders as a condition for lifting the sanctions.

Sources:

  • United Press International (UPI)
  • United Nations Security Council
  • Western diplomats