US Blocks UN Move to Lift Sanctions on Iraq

The United States has thwarted a bid by the United Nations Security Council to review the 4.5-year-old economic sanctions against Iraq, producing intelligence materials that highlight the country's continued threat to its neighbors. The council is set to hold its regular bi-monthly review of the sanctions, but US Ambassador Madeleine Albright has presented satellite photographs and intelligence materials showing Iraq's failure to comply with Gulf War cease-fire conditions. Iraqi leaders have been accused of misleading UN inspectors about the possession of a high-powered radar, which was used as an offensive weapon despite claims otherwise.

Key Takeaways:

• The US has blocked a UN move to lift sanctions on Iraq by producing intelligence materials showing the country's continued threat to its neighbors.
• UN chief inspector Rolf Ekeus has accused Iraq of acquiring a high-powered radar and misleading UN inspectors about its use.
• Iraq is still in possession of 9,000 pieces of military equipment seized in Kuwait during the 1990 invasion.
• Iraqi leaders have failed to return thousands of civilian vehicles, including public buses, ambulances, and cars.
• The US has presented satellite photographs and intelligence materials showing Iraq's failure to comply with Gulf War cease-fire conditions.
• Iraq uses the armoured personnel carriers to move its Republican Guards to the border area with Kuwait.
• The UN has imposed stringent demands on Iraq, including destroying its weapons of mass destruction and allowing long-term UN monitoring of its weapons capabilities.

Statistics:

• 9,000: The number of pieces of military equipment still in Iraq's possession.
• 4,000: The number of TOW missiles seized in Kuwait still in Iraq's possession.
• 1990: The year Iraq invaded Kuwait.
• 1991: The year the US-led coalition army drove Iraqis out of Kuwait.
• 10: The number of years since the start of an electronic system operating on a provisional basis at Iraqi military installations to detect nuclear materials.

Sources:

• "US Blocks UN Move to Lift Sanctions on Iraq". Associated Press. 10 Jan. 1995.