Iraq's Sanctions: A Decade of Impoverishment and a Future of Uncertainty

Iraq is now resigned to the indefinite extension of sanctions until they "fall apart under their own contradictions", a sentiment shared by both US presidential candidates, Al Gore and George Bush Jr. The Clinton administration has hinted that the only way sanctions can be lifted is if Saddam Hussein is no longer on the scene, leaving Iraq in a state of limbo. The country's survival relies on probing the sanctions system for holes or creating new openings to get the essential supplies needed to keep the country intact.

Key Takeaways:

• The Clinton administration has no intention of easing sanctions, and the incoming administration is unlikely to take a different approach, regardless of whether it's Al Gore or George Bush Jr. who takes over.
• Iraq is not an issue in the US electioneering process, and it's not likely to become one unless a dramatic development occurs in the coming months.
• Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Sahaf has demanded compensation for harm to civilians and damage to property suffered during continuing attacks by US and British warplanes.
• The UN Security Council has established a special working group to recommend ways of making sanctions more effective and less harmful to civilians, but sources are not optimistic about the outcome.
• US policy makers on both sides of the political divide have no interest in seeing Saddam revert to pre-1990 tactics if sanctions are lifted, and the economies of US allies are performing well.
• An easing of sanctions is seen as a possibility in an optimistic scenario, where outgoing President Bill Clinton may decide to ease some sanctions just before leaving office, setting a precedent for future administrations.
• Iraq's survival relies on probing the sanctions system for holes or creating new openings to get essential supplies, and the Baathist regime has been taking a hard line against the US, appearing to be resolved to outwait the embargo without making concessions.
• High-profile figures, such as the Pope and US Congressman Tony Hall, have called for the easing of sanctions, citing the suffering of the Iraqi people and the level of impoverishment caused by the embargo.

Statistics:

• 860 people were injured in air strikes since December 1998 (Source: Iraqi government)
• 300 people have been killed in air strikes since December 1998 (Source: Iraqi government)
• The sanctions have been in place for nearly a decade, making it the longest blockade imposed on any nation in modern history
• 70 Congressmen have recently asked Washington to reconsider its policy on Iraq (Source: US Congressman Tony Hall)
• 70% of Americans are unaware of the situation on the ground in Iraq, as estimated by US Congressman Tony Hall (Source: US Congressman Tony Hall)
• 10 years have passed since the US bombed Iraq, starting the embargo (Source: various)

Sources:

• Iraqi government
• US Congressman Tony Hall
• Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Sahaf
• UN Security Council
• Iraqi Deputy Premier Tariq Aziz
• Hans Blix, chief UN arms inspector