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Saddam Hussein's Defiance of United Nations Resolutions

Saddam Hussein has repeatedly violated sixteen United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) designed to ensure that Iraq does not pose a threat to international peace and security. In addition to these repeated violations, he has tried, over the past decade, to circumvent UN economic sanctions against Iraq, which are reflected in a number of other resolutions. As noted in the resolutions, Saddam Hussein was required to fulfill many obligations beyond the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Specifically, Saddam Hussein was required to, among other things: allow international weapons inspectors to oversee the destruction of his weapons of mass destruction; not develop new weapons of mass destruction; destroy all of his ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometers; stop support for terrorism and prevent terrorist organizations from operating within Iraq; help account for missing Kuwaitis and other individuals; return stolen Kuwaiti property and bear financial liability for damage from the Gulf War; and he was required to end his repression of the Iraqi people. Saddam Hussein has repeatedly violated each of the following resolutions:

UNSCR 678 - November 29, 1990

  • Iraq must comply fully with UNSCR 660 (regarding Iraq's illegal invasion of Kuwait) "and all subsequent relevant resolutions."
  • Authorizes UN Member States "to use all necessary means to uphold and implement resolution 660 and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restore international peace and security in the area."

UNSCR 686 - March 2, 1991

  • Iraq must release prisoners detained during the Gulf War.
  • Iraq must return Kuwaiti property seized during the Gulf War.
  • Iraq must accept liability under international law for damages from its illegal invasion of Kuwait.

UNSCR 687 - April 3, 1991

  • Iraq must "unconditionally accept" the destruction, removal or rendering harmless "under international supervision" of all "chemical and biological weapons and all stocks of agents and all related subsystems and components and all research, development, support and manufacturing facilities."
  • Iraq must "unconditionally agree not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons or nuclear-weapons-usable material" or any research, development or manufacturing facilities.
  • Iraq must "unconditionally accept" the destruction, removal or rendering harmless "under international supervision" of all "ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 KM and related major parts and repair and production facilities."
  • Iraq must not "use, develop, construct or acquire" any weapons of mass destruction.
  • Iraq must reaffirm its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
  • Creates the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) to verify the elimination of Iraq's chemical and biological weapons programs and mandated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verify elimination of Iraq's nuclear weapons program.
  • Iraq must declare fully its weapons of mass destruction programs.
  • Iraq must not commit or support terrorism, or allow terrorist organizations to operate in Iraq.
  • Iraq must cooperate in accounting for the missing and dead Kuwaitis and others.
  • Iraq must return Kuwaiti property seized during the Gulf War.

UNSCR 688 - April 5, 1991

  • "Condemns" repression of Iraqi civilian population, "the consequences of which threaten international peace and security."
  • Iraq must immediately end repression of its civilian population.
  • Iraq must allow immediate access to international humanitarian organizations to those in need of assistance.

UNSCR 707 - August 15, 1991

  • "Condemns" Iraq's "serious violation" of UNSCR 687.
  • "Further condemns" Iraq's noncompliance with IAEA and its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
  • Iraq must halt nuclear activities of all kinds until the Security Council deems Iraq in full compliance.
  • Iraq must make a full, final and complete disclosure of all aspects of its weapons of mass destruction and missile programs.
  • Iraq must allow UN and IAEA inspectors immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.
  • Iraq must cease attempts to conceal or move weapons of mass destruction, and related materials and facilities.
  • Iraq must allow UN and IAEA inspectors to conduct inspection flights throughout Iraq.
  • Iraq must provide transportation, medical and logistical support for UN and IAEA inspectors.

UNSCR 715 - October 11, 1991

  • Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA inspectors.

UNSCR 949 - October 15, 1994

  • "Condemns" Iraq's recent military deployments toward Kuwait.
  • Iraq must not utilize its military or other forces in a hostile manner to threaten its neighbors or UN operations in Iraq.
  • Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors.
  • Iraq must not enhance its military capability in southern Iraq.

UNSCR 1051 - March 27, 1996

  • Iraq must report shipments of dual-use items related to weapons of mass destruction to the UN and IAEA.
  • Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.

UNSCR 1060 - June 12, 1996

  • "Deplores" Iraq's refusal to allow access to UN inspectors and Iraq's "clear violations" of previous UN resolutions.
  • Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.

UNSCR 1115 - June 21, 1997

  • "Condemns repeated refusal of Iraqi authorities to allow access" to UN inspectors, which constitutes a "clear and flagrant violation" of UNSCR 687, 707, 715, and 1060.
  • Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.
  • Iraq must give immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to Iraqi officials whom UN inspectors want to interview.

UNSCR 1134 - October 23, 1997

  • "Condemns repeated refusal of Iraqi authorities to allow access" to UN inspectors, which constitutes a "flagrant violation" of UNSCR 687, 707, 715, and 1060.
  • Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.
  • Iraq must give immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to Iraqi officials whom UN inspectors want to interview.

UNSCR 1137 - November 12, 1997

  • "Condemns the continued violations by Iraq" of previous UN resolutions, including its "implicit threat to the safety of" aircraft operated by UN inspectors and its tampering with UN inspector monitoring equipment.
  • Reaffirms Iraq's responsibility to ensure the safety of UN inspectors.
  • Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.

UNSCR 1154 - March 2, 1998

  • Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access, and notes that any violation would have the "severest consequences for Iraq."

UNSCR 1194 - September 9, 1998

  • "Condemns the decision by Iraq of 5 August 1998 to suspend cooperation with" UN and IAEA inspectors, which constitutes "a totally unacceptable contravention" of its obligations under UNSCR 687, 707, 715, 1060, 1115, and 1154.
  • Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA weapons inspectors, and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.

UNSCR 1205 - November 5, 1998

  • "Condemns the decision by Iraq of 31 October 1998 to cease cooperation" with UN inspectors as "a flagrant violation" of UNSCR 687 and other resolutions.
  • Iraq must provide "immediate, complete and unconditional cooperation" with UN and IAEA inspectors.

UNSCR 1284 - December 17, 1999

  • Created the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspections Commission (UNMOVIC) to replace previous weapon inspection team (UNSCOM).
  • Iraq must allow UNMOVIC "immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access" to Iraqi officials and facilities.
  • Iraq must fulfill its commitment to return Gulf War prisoners.
  • Calls on Iraq to distribute humanitarian goods and medical supplies to its people and address the needs of vulnerable Iraqis without discrimination.

Additional UN Security Council Statements

In addition to the legally binding UNSCRs, the UN Security Council has also issued at least 30 statements from the President of the UN Security Council regarding Saddam Hussein's continued violations of UNSCRs. The list of statements includes:

  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 28, 1991
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, February 5, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, February 19, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, February 28, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, March 6, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, March 11, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, March 12, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, April 10, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 17, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, July 6, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, September 2, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, November 23, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, November 24, 1992
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, January 8, 1993
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, January 11, 1993
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 18, 1993
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 28, 1993
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, November 23, 1993
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, October 8, 1994
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, March 19, 1996
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 14, 1996
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, August 23, 1996
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, December 30, 1996
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 13, 1997
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, October 29, 1997
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, November 13, 1997
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, December 3, 1997
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, December 22, 1997
  • UN Security Council Presidential Statement, January 14, 1998

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