Iraq's Ongoing Non-Compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions

President Bill Clinton emphasized in a letter to congressional leaders on May 17, 1995, that Iraq continues to engage in dilatory tactics to comply with UN Security Council resolutions. Clinton highlighted Iraq's refusal to comply with its obligations regarding weapons of mass destruction, including the refusal to account for 17 tons of biological growth media. He also stated that an investigation has been initiated to determine the veracity of reports that Iraq has restarted its nuclear weapons program. Clinton reiterates the need to maintain sanctions until Iraq complies with all relevant provisions of UN Security Council resolutions.

Key Takeaways:

• Iraq has done little to comply with its remaining obligations under UN Security Council resolutions since recognizing Kuwait in November 1994.
• Iraq remains out of compliance with its obligations regarding weapons of mass destruction, with continued failure to provide complete information about its past weapons programs.
• Iraq refuses to account for 17 tons of biological growth media, which could be used to produce biological weapons, and disingenuously claims to have never had a biological weapons program.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is investigating reports that Iraq has restarted its nuclear weapons program, with preliminary evidence suggesting Iraq has resumed prohibited research.
• The Iraqi government persists in its brutal campaign against its perceived enemies throughout the country, including periodic shelling of villages in the south and north, and a policy of deliberate environmental devastation in the south.
• Iraqi forces have forcibly dispersed residents in the Marsh Arab region, leading to a sharp decline in the region's population.
• The Iraqi government has been accused of engaging in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possible violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention, with the UN Special Rapporteur, Max van der Stoel, calling for monitors to be stationed inside Iraq.
• Baghdad has attempted to violate UN sanctions, with 12 maritime vessels intercepted in the Gulf since October 1994 for attempting to smuggle commodities into Iraq.
• The UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) has received about 2.6 million claims, with an asserted value of approximately $176 billion, but lacks sufficient funding to pay the first small awards.
• Iraq's refusal to meet the UN Security Council's terms for a resumption of oil sales has left the UNCC without adequate financial resources to pay the awards.

Statistics:

• 2.6 million claims submitted to the UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) ( asserts value of approximately $176 billion)
• $176 billion asserted value of all claims submitted to the UNCC
• $1.8 billion asserted value of U.S. claims submitted to the UNCC
• 220,000 individual awards approved by the UNCC Governing Council
• $870 million worth of awards approved by the UNCC Governing Council
• 580 awards totaling almost $11.7 million issued to U.S. claimants
• $11.7 million total value of awards issued to U.S. claimants
• 3,300 claims submitted by the United States to the UNCC
• 17 tons of biological growth media unaccounted for by Iraq

Sources:

• May 17, 1995: Letter from President Bill Clinton to congressional leaders
• UN Security Council Resolution 688
• UN Security Council Resolution 687
• UN Security Council Resolution 986
• Report of the UN Special Rapporteur, Max van der Stoel
• Statement of the Iraqi National Congress
• Letter from President Bill Clinton to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich and President pro tempore of the Senate, Sturton Thurmond.