UN Resolutions Directed at Iraq

This research examines and discusses the resolutions passed by the Security Council of the United Nations that target Iraq in relation to the 1991 Gulf War and its aftermath. To fully appreciate the scope, intent, and outcome of the resolutions, it is necessary to begin a few months prior to the beginning of the Gulf War to consider United Nations resolutions passed as a result of the occupation of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990.

The Security Council passed Resolution 660 on 2 August 1990 (Sciolino, 1991, p. 298). This resolution condemned Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, and called for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait. The major effect of this resolution was the development of a unanimity of opinion on the issue among the permanent member nations of the Security Council, as the resolution had no effect on Iraq's outward actions toward Kuwait or efforts to defuse the crisis.

Resolution 661 was passed by the Security Council on 6 August 1990 (Sciolino, 1991, p. 298). This resolution ordered a global embargo of trade with Iraq. This resolution had the immediate effect of impinging upon Iraq's ability to finance the war effort; however, the resolution had no other shortterm effects on the country. Over the longterm, however, the trade embargo has had a significant and detrimental effect on Iraq. The economic embargo has proved to be devastating to the Ira

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weapons, ballistic missile stocks and production facilities, and all nuclear materials. Lastly, this resolution required that Iraq cooperate in the destruction of all of these materials. Sanctions were not lifted by this resolution; however, the resolution did specify that the sanctions would be reviewed each 60 days. Resolution 687 remains the primary Security Council resolution under which the United Nations relations with Iraq continue to be conducted ("Steps Taken Toward . . . " 1994, p. 32). Iraqi cooperation with the United Nations under the provisions of this resolution, however, have been far from satisfactory from the perspective of the Security Council (Djerejian, 1993, p. 571). Resolution 688 Resolution 688 was passed by the Security Council on 5 April 1991 (Freedman and Karsh, 1993, p. 421). This resolution condemned Iraq for the treatment of the country's own citizens, with a particular emphasis on the Kurds in Iraq. Safe havens for Kurds within Iraq were established through Resolution 688 (Hasin, 1992, pp. 11-16). No fly zones for the Iraqi air force also were established by Resolution 688 (Djerejian, 1993, p. 571). Resolutions 706 and 712 Resolutions 706 and 712 passed by the Security Council in 1991
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Approximate Word count = 3010
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)

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