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Diplomats at the United Nations have reportedly detected a change in Russia's approach to Iraq, with Moscow becoming more flexible in its stance in an attempt to deflect Western criticism of its invasion of Chechnya. This shift was initially suggested by Russian Foreign Minister Ivan Ivanov to US
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The United Nations Security Council has granted Iraq a two-week extension to meet its oil export targets, allowing it to sell an additional $1 billion worth of oil by the end of the current phase. This move comes after weeks of private discussion among the five permanent members of the
United Nations
The United States and France continue to disagree over the lifting of UN-imposed economic sanctions on Iraq, with President Bill Clinton and President Jacques Chirac holding a joint press conference at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris. Clinton emphasized the need for strict control to prevent Iraq from rebuilding its
United Nations
Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak is nearing completion of his minority government, with significant progress achieved in secret negotiations between his One Israel party and potential coalition partners. Meanwhile, regional concerns are rising as Egypt's President Mubarak calls for a pan-Arab summit, and Iraq protests to the UN
United Nations
As the conflict in the Middle East continues, the impact of unprecedented sanctions on Iraq has created a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions. For 22 million Iraqis, life has become a daily struggle for survival, where basic necessities like food, water, and medicine are scarce. The sanctions, imposed after Saddam
United Nations
Iraq has accused a British national working with the U.N. Office of Project Services (UNOPS) in northern Iraq of carrying out sabotage acts against the country's agricultural crops. According to an unnamed Iraqi Agriculture Ministry source, the Briton, Reed Verbatim, allegedly planted boxes filled with breeding eggs
United Nations
UNSCOM Executive Director Richard Butler aggressively denied allegations that the agency had improperly shared intelligence information with U.S. spy agencies. Butler emphasized that the organization's mandate was to ensure Iraq's disarmament in accordance with Security Council resolutions, and that UNSCOM had never conducted spying for
United Nations
UN Special Commissioner Mr. Richard Butler categorically denied US press reports that he helped Washington collect sensitive Iraqi communications to undermine Saddam Hussein's regime. The allegations, which appeared in US newspapers, were fully disputed by Butler, with no credible evidence to support them. In a related development, a
Iraq
The Clinton administration is looking into the possibility of expanding the United Nations' oil-for-food program, which allows Iraq to sell oil in exchange for humanitarian goods. This move comes as the administration tries to soften its stance on the country following recent military strikes. According to Undersecretary of State
Iraq
On December 19, 1998, President Bill Clinton addressed the nation to explain his decision to order military strikes against Iraq, citing the need to protect America's interests and prevent Saddam Hussein from developing nuclear, poison gas, biological weapons, and missiles. The strikes aimed to degrade Saddam's
Iraq
Operation Desert Fox, a four-day airstrikes campaign by US and British forces, concluded on December 19, 1998, with the objective of weakening Saddam Hussein's regime and its ability to develop weapons of mass destruction. The operation's success was marked by significant damage inflicted on Iraq'
Iraq
US and British aircraft conducted 200 sorties over southern Iraq on Friday, targeting 50 sites, including elite Republican Guard units and suspected chemical and biological facilities. The campaign, now in its third night, has been deemed "generally successful" by Pentagon officials, who report no US or British casualties
