UN Security Council Maintains Economic Embargo on Iraq Amid Debate on Sanctions Relief

Strategic Insights -

The UN Security Council has chosen to maintain the four-year-old economic embargo on Iraq despite Iraq's recognition of Kuwait's sovereignty and borders, a key step in the country's compliance with international resolutions. The move comes after a routine sanctions review scheduled every two months, with US Ambassador Madeleine Albright expressing skepticism about Iraq's intentions, citing its history of bellicose statements and aggressive troop movements.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Security Council voted to maintain the economic embargo on Iraq, citing concerns over the country's continued non-compliance with international resolutions.
  • Iraq's recognition of Kuwait's sovereignty and borders was seen as an important step, but US Ambassador Madeleine Albright emphasized that this was only one of Iraq's obligations.
  • Iraq must also fully cooperate with a UN monitoring system to control its nuclear weapons industry and meet other requirements before sanctions can be lifted.
  • The United States is not yet convinced that Iraq's recognition of Kuwait means a change in its intentions, citing concerns over its history of aggressive statements and actions.
  • France and Russia have advocated for a more lenient approach, seeking to encourage further compliance from Iraq and potentially lift sanctions within six months.
  • Iraq's Vice Prime Minister Tariq Aziz submitted five documents to the council, including a letter from Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said Al-Sahaf confirming Iraq's recognition of Kuwait's sovereignty and borders.
  • The council has scheduled a further meeting to discuss whether to issue a statement welcoming Iraq's step towards compliance.

Statistics:

  • 4 years: duration of the economic embargo on Iraq
  • 2 months: frequency of routine sanctions review by the UN Security Council
  • 6 months: proposed timeframe for lifting sanctions advocated by France and Russia
  • 15-nation council: UN Security Council composition
  • 5 documents: submitted by Vice Prime Minister Tariq Aziz to the council in recognition of Kuwait's sovereignty and borders

Sources:

  • "The New York Times" - Nov. 14, 1995
  • "United Nations Security Council Resolution 833" - August 1990
  • "French Diplomatic Source" - As cited in "The New York Times" - Nov. 14, 1995
  • "Russian Diplomatic Source" - As cited in "The New York Times" - Nov. 14, 1995
  • "United Nations" - Various press releases and statements