1.1 | UK
Iraq strategy 1990 to 2000
13.
On
6 August, the Security Council adopted resolution 661 (1990),
reaffirming
resolution
660 and expressing deep concern that it had not been implemented,
despite
Kuwait’s
expression of readiness to comply. Acting under Chapter VII of the
UN Charter
(see Box,
‘The Charter framework for the use of force’), the Security Council
decided to
take
measures to secure compliance with the demand for immediate Iraqi
withdrawal
which was
included in resolution 660. Resolution 661 imposed comprehensive
economic
sanctions
on Iraq, including prohibiting the import and export of all
commodities
into and
out of Iraq, with the exception of medical supplies and, in
humanitarian
circumstances,
foodstuffs. The resolution also prohibited States from providing
any
funding or
financial or economic resources to Iraq, and required them to
freeze any of
its assets
or resources, with the exception of payments for medical or
humanitarian
purposes. A
Committee of all Council members was established to review and
report on
implementation
of the sanctions.
14.
Resolution 662
(1990), adopted on 9 August, recorded that the Security
Council
had decided
Iraq’s annexation of Kuwait was “null and void”, and called upon
all States,
international
organisations and specialised agencies not to recognise it. Eight
further
resolutions
followed addressing: the safety of third-State nationals within
Iraq and
Kuwait; the
circumstances in which the importation of foodstuffs would be
permitted; and
further
condemning Iraqi attacks on Kuwaiti, third-State and diplomatic
persons. By early
September,
17 countries had committed forces to a growing, US-led military
coalition,
which was
already involved in enforcing sanctions. The US, UK and France had
agreed
to deploy
air and land forces to Saudi Arabia to deter Iraq from further
aggression. In
September
and October, further forces were deployed as the international
community
prepared to
liberate Kuwait if Saddam Hussein did not comply with the
Security
Council’s
demand that he withdraw.
15.
On
29 November, the Security Council adopted resolution 678
(1990) which said
that,
acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, it:
“Demands
that Iraq comply fully with resolution 660 and all subsequent
resolutions,
and
decides, while maintaining all its decisions, to allow Iraq one
final opportunity, as
a pause of
goodwill, to do so;
“Authorises
Member States co-operating with the Government of Kuwait, unless
Iraq
on or
before 15 January 1991 fully implements the above-mentioned
resolutions, 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.”1
16.
The resolution
was adopted by 12 votes to two (Cuba and Yemen); China
abstained.
1
UN Security
Council resolution 678 (1990).
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