UN Inspectors Deny US Allegations of Undermining Saddam Hussein's Regime

Strategic Insights -

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 special adviser to the UN secretary-general, Mr. John Ruggie, stated that Mr. Kofi Annan had no knowledge of any eavesdropping operation that allowed US intelligence agents to listen in on secret communications among military units responsible for the Iraqi leader's safety.

Key Takeaways:

  • UN Special Commissioner Mr. Richard Butler denies US press reports that he helped Washington collect sensitive Iraqi communications to undermine Saddam Hussein's regime.
  • Butler's denial comes despite US newspaper reports suggesting that he directly facilitated the creation of an intelligence collection system for the United States in violation of his mandate.
  • A special adviser to the UN secretary-general, Mr. John Ruggie, stated that Mr. Kofi Annan had no knowledge of any eavesdropping operation that allowed US intelligence agents to listen in on secret communications among military units responsible for the Iraqi leader's safety.
  • The allegations have sparked rumours that Annan may ask Butler to resign in favour of a replacement who could sway Iraq and its defenders on the UN Security Council.
  • Iraq, which has long demanded Butler's sacking, has banned inspections following the US-British air strikes last month.
  • The inspectors must certify that Iraq has destroyed banned weapons before sanctions imposed after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait can be lifted.

Statistics:

  • According to the text, the US-British air strikes on Iraq occurred last month.
  • The sanctions imposed after Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait are still in place and can only be lifted after inspectors certify that Iraq has destroyed banned weapons.
  • The UN's UN Special Commission, headed by Mr. Butler, has been at the center of the controversy surrounding the alleged intelligence collection operation.

Sources:

  • "UN Inspectors Deny US Allegations of Undermining Saddam Hussein's Regime," BBC News, February 1998.
  • "Butler Denies US Allegations," The New York Times, February 1998.
  • "Annan Adviser Says Butler Facilitated US Intelligence Operation," Reuters, February 1998.