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Sanctions Reform: Information about the Wider Discussion - UN Security Council - Global Policy Forum Sanctions Reform:
Information about the Wider DiscussionRecently, there has been a re-opening of relations between Iraq and other states, and a return of civilian flights to Iraq. Together with the resumption of dialogue between the UN and Iraq, could this be a turning point for sanctions?
Sanctions Against Iraq | Oil-for-Food Program | Towards Lifting the Sanctions
Criticism of the Sanctions | Studies and Recommendations | Statements against sanctions | Civilian Flights
Other Analyses of the Sanctions | UN Security Council: Disagreement and Debates | Oil in Iraq
Current Articles | 2001 | Archives
New Policy Paper on Iraq Sanctions (August, 2002)
2002
Security Council Tries to Ease Tensions Between US and Iraq (May 23, 2002)
Diplomats in the Security Council are quietly working to prevent US military action against Iraq by trying to persuade Saddam Hussein’s government to allow the return of weapons inspectors. Failure of such tactic would strengthen those in the Bush administration who favor a military option. (New York Times)Iraq Considering UN Inspectors (May 16, 2002)
Rumors circulate that Iraq, which “grudgingly accepted” the changes in the sanctions, might allow the return of inspectors. Ambassador Cunningham, the US Deputy Representative at the UN, comments on the evolution of the situation. (Associated Press)Saddam Must Allow Weapons Inspectors Into Iraq or Suffer the Consequences (March 5, 2002)
In an editorial for the London Times, British Foreign Minister Jack Straw praises the virtue of “smarter sanctions” and the drafting of a new Goods Review List, passing the blame to Saddam Hussein.2001
US-Iraq Policy: Interview with State Department spokesman Richard Boucher (November 20, 2001)
Richard Boucher affirms that the US is actively working for a UN Security Council consensus on Iraq. (US Department of State)Iraq Not Willing to Accept Sanction Changes (November 25, 2001)
As the current phase of the UN oil-for-food program draws to an end on November 30, 2001, Iraq are not accepting any changes to the sanctions regime. The change in sanctions proposed by the US and the UK would lift most of the restrictions on trade with Iraq, but tighten enforcement of the arms embargo and block smuggling routes. (Associated Press)US Likely to Delay Action on Iraq Curbs (November 7, 2001)
With Russia emerging as a key supporter of the American-led war in Afghanistan, US officials are likely to delay efforts at overhauling UN economic sanctions on Iraq as previous attempts have faced opposition from Russia. (Washington Post)US-British 'Smart Sanctions' Iraq Plan in Doubt (November 2, 2001)
Instead of asking for Russian support in revamping sanctions against Iraq, the US and Britain are considering alternative means to pressure Baghdad into accepting UN arms inspectors. (Cable News Network)Saddam Steps Up Rejection of "Smart" Sanctions as UN Opens Debate (May 22, 2001)
Saddam Hussein announced he will reject the revised sanctions conditions as proposed by the US. (Agence France Presse)UN Council Powers Discuss Easing Iraqi Sanctions (May 22, 2001)
The five permanent members of the Security Council began to negotiate the new draft resolution on Iraq sanctions. China, Russia and France seem less in a hurry than the US and the UK. (Reuters)Russia, China Cool on Iraq Sanctions (May 18, 2001)
Russia, China and France reacted cautiously to the UK proposal on Iraq. Reaching a consensus on the draft resolution among Security Council members may take time. (Associated Press)New US-British Plan on Iraq (May 17, 2001)
Next week the UK, backed by the US, will introduce a new resolution for “smarter” sanctions on Iraq. This article emphasizes the novelty of the initiative, but many observers find little that is new here. (New York Times)US Starts Talks in Security Council on New Iraqi Policy (May 16, 2001)
The US distributed its memorandum on revised sanctions against Iraq to the four other permanent members. A UK draft resolution may circulate next week among the entire Council. If they can not agree on a new resolution, the present program will continue for the next six months. (Reuters)Powell Claims "Bit of Success" in Lobbying for Changes to Iraq Sanctions (May 14, 2001)
Washington reviews its Iraq policy. The main aim: restructuring the arms control systems so the "Iraqi regime cannot blame the United States for hurting Iraqi civilians". (Agence France Presse)Seminar to Discuss Iraq Trade Now and After Sanctions (May 10, 2001)
According to seminar organizer "Global Resources", the embargo is 'relaxed'. Iraq is forging plans for business trade with a preference to Middle East partners. (Global News Wire/Gulf News)Private Firms Aid UN on Sanctions (April 21, 2001)
Privatization does not spare the UN. After the decision to use services of a private company to monitor sanctions in Angola, the Security Council discusses the same possibility for arms inspection in Iraq. (Washington Post)UN Security Council Raps Iraq on Missing Kuwaitis (April 21, 2001)
The Security Council reiterates the obligation of Iraq to investigate the disappearance of people during the invasion of Kuwait. This is the only issue the 15 Council members agree on as part of the requirements for the lifting of sanctions. (Reuters)Cheney Panel Seeks Review Of Sanctions (April 19, 2001)
The US is revising its sanction regime not only on Iraq, but also on Iran and Libya in order to meet energy needs in the country. (Washington Post)Iraq Seeks Russian Support and Cooperation (April 18, 2001)
In a visit in Moscow, Iraqi vice-president Ramadan, tries convincing Russia to confirm its support for lifting the sanctions and boost bilateral cooperation, especially in the oil sector. (People Daily)Saddam Supports Sanctions (April 16, 2001)
Saddam is against the lifting of sanctions, since they have consolidated his regime, says the Guardian.Now an Iraq War in Washington (April 9, 2001)
President Bush has set up three administration working groups to “turn the justified review of 15 years of failed US policy toward Saddam into something valuable and innovative”, reports the Washington Post.US Shifts Attack on Iraq Trade (March 26, 2001)
The US revealed some parts of its new sanctions policy towards Iraq, based on the monitoring of the country’s borders and incentives for neighbors to cooperate. So far, the sanctions proposals have been welcomed by key members of the Security Council. (Washington Post)Some Preliminary Assessments of Powell’s Iraq Trajectory (March 13, 2001)
Phyllis Bennis from the Institute for Policy Studies reviews what we know – and what we do not know – about the emerging Bush strategy toward Iraq, including the divergences between Powell and Cheney.New Study Details 'Smart Sanctions' Proposals to Disarm Iraq (March 7, 2001)
The Fourth Freedom Forum releases a new study on “smarter sanctions” to be implemented against Iraq. The report proposes a set of sanctions focusing on weapons and military-related goods, as an alternative to the current sanctions regime. (US Newswire)Interview with RF Permanent Representative to the UN Sergei Lavrov on Iraq (March 1, 2001)
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Representative, give us his point of view on the Iraqi situation. The shift of the US policy towards Iraq could permit the Council to adopt a comprehensive and rational attitude. (Federal News Service)Smart Sanctions: Restructuring UN Policy in Iraq (March 2001)
After six months of work, the Fourth Freedom Forum and the John B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies have released their executive report on smart sanctions.Time for a Modified Approach (February 2001)
This paper from the Brookings Institute indicates the thinking of the Bush administration. The author worked with Richard Haass, now Director of the Policy Planning at the State Department.Iraqis End Two-Day Meet with Annan, Agree to Pursue Dialogue with UN (February 28, 2001)
"We did not discuss any proposals. We discussed issues” reported the Iraqi delegation after the first recent high level dialogue between Iraq and the Secretary General. A second round of talks is expected soon. (Agence France Presse)US Favors Easing Iraq Sanctions (February 27, 2001)
During a three-day trip to the Middle East, Colin Powell sought Arab support for more targeted sanctions against Saddam’s regime. But what is precisely in the program? (Washington Post)Iraq Defiant as US Lobbies Arabs on Shift in Sanctions (February 25, 2001)
The Iraqi people are skeptical about the “smarter” sanctions under discussion between the US and the UK, interpreting the policy shift as a way to control Iraq's economic, political and military resources. (New York Times)Security Council Ready to Reduce Sanctions Against Iraq: Norway (February 23, 2001)
Position in the Security Council toward Iraq is moving: Norway is about to present a proposition to lift sanctions against Iraq. A proposal that could be accepted by the P5!(Agence France Presse)Iraq to Attend UN Talks on Sanctions (February 21, 2001)
Despite the US-UK bombings on Baghdad, Iraq will still attend the talks with Kofi Annan planned since last November. (Reuters)Bush Team Is Divided on Policy Toward Iraq (February 15, 2001)
The new administration hesitates between two paths to deal with Iraq: to support the Iraqi opposition party to weaken Saddam, or to rationalize UN sanctions. The second alternative seems to have better chance to attract European and Arab backing. (International Herald Tribune)Revisiting the Iraq Sanctions (February 11, 2001)
Colin Powell, on departure to the Middle East, needs to “revitalize” strategy towards Iraq, for which he will need the cooperation of Iraq neighbors. He will then have to gain Security Council support for the new US approach. (New York Times)Britain and US Look for a Way to Hurt Saddam, not his People (February 9, 2001)
Robin Cook and Colin Powell are now joining the talk about “smarter sanctions” against Iraq, focusing on the military. Is change in the air? (Independent)The War Saddam Won (February 6, 2001)
This column by Thomas Friedman of the New York Times calls for the lifting of general trade sanctions on Iraq in favor of an arms embargo. This piece is especially important because Friedman maintains very close relations with the US State Department. Could this be a trial balloon?Iraq Looks to Free Trade Accords to Ease Decade-Old Sanctions (January 30, 2001)
With agreements with Egypt and Syria already in place, Iraq is about to sign free trade accords with several more Arab countries. "It is an effective way of boosting Arab solidarity and breaching the sanctions regime," said one Iraqi official. (Agence France Press)Norway Set to Reopen Embassy in Iraq (January 26, 2001)
Following Turkey, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates, Norway, the new head of the Security Council Sanctions Committee on Iraq, decides to reopen diplomatic representation in Baghdad. What’s happening to the US-led Desert Storm alliance? (Associated Press)ICJ the Last Avenue to End Iraqi Sanctions (January 23, 2001)
Malaysia is about to bring the Iraqi issue to the ICJ, which may be the only organ willing to end the sanctions, by judging them in violation of UN laws and principles on human rights. But can this organ create a precedent by reversing a decision of the Security Council? (New Straits Times)Britain Seeks U-Turn Over Iraq Bombing (January 7, 2001)
The Observer reports that UK policy on Iraq is being reviewed, and that this could result in Britain dropping its support for the southern no-fly zone, and advocating the implementation of ‘smart sanctions’.Letter From Hans von Sponeck (January 3, 2001)
In an open letter to UK minister Peter Hain, published by the Guardian, the former UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq blasts Britain’s Iraq policy and accuses the UK of “fabricated and self-serving disinformation”.
More Information on Sanctions Against Iraq
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Archived Articles on a Turning Point for Iraq
