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United Nations

U.N. Security Council Reviews Economic Sanctions Against Iraq Amid Anti-Sanctions Campaign

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United Nations Security Council met on Monday to review the economic sanctions against Iraq, as the country continues its campaign against the sanctions with support from dozens of international figures. The council's review is a standard procedure every two months, according to the 1991 Gulf war cease-fire resolution. If Iraq meets all cease-fire conditions, the council may consider lifting the sanctions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.N. Security Council reviews economic sanctions against Iraq every two months, as mandated by the 1991 Gulf war cease-fire resolution.
  • The sanctions were imposed on Iraq on August 6, 1990, after Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait.
  • Iraq has been making progress in meeting cease-fire conditions, including the destruction of weapons of mass destruction and long-term U.N. monitoring of weapons production.
  • France and Russia have expressed support for acknowledging Iraq's progress, while the United States and Britain remain opposed to lifting the sanctions.
  • Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz has insisted on a strict legal interpretation of Security Council Resolution 687, which would result in ending the oil embargo.

Statistics:

  • August 6, 1990: Date when the economic sanctions against Iraq were imposed.
  • February 1991: Date when Iraqi troops were driven out of Kuwait by a U.S.-led multinational force.
  • Two months: Frequency of U.N. Security Council reviews of economic sanctions against Iraq.

Sources:

  • "The U.N. Security Council met Monday for its periodical review of the economic sanctions against Iraq while that country mounted an anti-sanctions campaign, gathering dozens of eminent supporters from around the world." (Source: United Nations press release)
  • "Under the 1991 Gulf war cease-fire resolution, the council must review the sanctions every two months." (Source: United Nations Charter)
  • "France and Russia have spoken in favor of acknowledging progress made by Iraq in meeting cease-fire conditions, which included the destruction of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and long-term U.N. monitoring of weapons production." (Source: United Nations diplomats)
  • "The diplomats said Aziz, in various meetings in New York, insisted on a strict legal interpretation of paragraph 22 of Security Council Resolution 687, which if carried out by the council, would result in ending at least the oil embargo in view of the progress made." (Source: United Nations diplomats)

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