On the morning of August 2, 1990, the Security Council met in emergency session at UN headquarters to address the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The President of the Security Council, Romanian Ambassador Aurel-Dragos Munteanu called the meeting to order at 5:00 a.m. US Ambassador Thomas Pickering commented "[t]he world is watching what we do here and will not be satisfied with vacillation or procrastination."
The Security Council condemned the invasion and called for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraq forces from Kuwait. Resolution 660 was adopted pursuant to Articles 39 and 40 of the UN Charter. This was significant because it authorized the Council to subsequently impose both economic and military sanctions against Iraq. On August 6th, the Security Council reaffirmed its prior resolution and imposed extensive sanctions against Iraq. Security Council resolution 661 set forth the following sanctions: (1) the prohibition of imports of all commodities and products originating in Iraq and exported therefrom; (2) prohibition of any activities designed to promote the export of any commodities or products from Iraq; (3) prohibition of exports to Iraq of any commodities or products, but not including supplies intended strictly for medical purposes, and, in humanitarian circumstances, foodstuffs; (4) and the prohibition on making available any funds or any other financial and economic resources. A Committee was established to examine the implementation of the resolution. The Security Council subsequently enacted several resolutions affirming the sanctions and calling for Iraq's immediate withdrawal from Kuwait.
Despite repeated calls, Iraq refused to withdraw from Kuwait. On January 16, 1991, hostilities began between UN coalition forces and Iraqi forces in both Kuwait and Iraq. After an extensive air war and a brief ground war, Iraq announced its readiness to comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions on February 27, 1991.
On April 3, 1991, the Security Council adopted resolution 687, which set forth the conditions that would govern the imposition of sanctions and would signal Iraq's eventual return to the international community. The Council demanded that Iraq respect the inviolability of international borders and to renounce its support of international terrorism. The Council authorized the Secretary-General to submit a plan for the formation of a Special Commission (UNSCOM), "which shall carry out immediate on-site inspection of Iraq's biological, chemical and missile capabilities, based on Iraq's declarations and the designation of any additional locations by the Special Commission." The Special Commission would monitor and supervise the destruction, removal or rendering harmless of these weapons. The resolution also required the identification and removal of Iraq's nuclear-weapons-usable materials by the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the assistance and cooperation of the Special Commission. In addition, the Security Council held that Iraq was liable for any losses or damages incurred as a result of Iraq's unlawful invasion of Kuwait. Iraq accepted the resolution on April 6, 1991.
The consequences of the sanctions imposed against Iraq have been profound. Pursuant to the sanctions, Iraq has been unable to sell its oil. Food and medicine are scare. Products such as flour, sugar and rice are rationed according to a strict monthly allotment. Daily food rations for Iraqis are limited to 1,200 calories per day. The most vulnerable members of Iraqi society face the increased likelihood of hunger and disease. Indeed, officials at UNICEF claim that malnutrition and inadequate medical care result in the death of over 4,500 Iraqi children each month. The broader consequences of the sanctions are also profound. Much of Iraq's infrastructure, including its transportation system, water and power facilities, have fallen into disrepair. Iraq's intellectual community has also suffered due to limited funding and neglect of university facilities.
In December 1996, the Security Council authorized Iraq to sell up to $2 billion worth of oil. This is the first time that the oil embargo has been lifted since it was imposed by the Security Council in 1990. Approximately $1.2 billion will be used to purchase humanitarian items such as food, medicine and other essential aid. About $20 million will be used to pay for the ongoing UN inspections of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The remaining proceeds of the sale will be used to compensate victims of the Gulf War. The oil transfers will be strictly monitored. International officials will regulate both oil exports as well as imports in order to verify full and effective compliance with the Security Council resolutions.
Despite the length and severity of the sanctions imposed on Iraq, significant obstacles remain before they will be fully withdrawn. The UN Special Commission, charged with identifying and destroying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, alleges that Iraq is still concealing missiles and other prohibited weapons and materials. UN inspectors believe that there may be as many as 25 unaccounted missiles in Iraq. In addition, the Iraqi government has continued to violate the UN safe areas in both northern and southern Iraq. For example, the Iraqi military forces entered the UN no-fly zone in northern Iraq in August 1996 to support the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in their attacks against the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), an anti-government rebel group. With the assistance of the Iraqi military, the KDP gained control over several disputes towns although some of the territory was later regained by the PUK. In response to the Iraqi attack, the United States launched a series of cruise missile attacks against Iraqi military targets in southern Iraq. It also extended the scope of the no-fly zone in Iraq.
Thus, while the UN sanctions against Iraq have been in place since August 1990, it is unclear whether they will be withdrawn in the immediate future.
