1.1 | UK
Iraq strategy 1990 to 2000
350.
Resolution
1134 (1997), expressing the intention to impose travel restrictions
in the
event that
UNSCOM reported that Iraq was not in compliance with resolution
1115, was
adopted on
23 October.144
351.
The draft text
which became resolution 1134 was co-sponsored by nine
members
of the
Council and adopted by ten votes. Five members, including three
Permanent
Members,
abstained – China, Egypt, France, Kenya and Russia.
•
reaffirmed
the Security Council’s “determination to ensure” Iraq’s
“full
compliance
… with all its obligations under all previous resolutions”;
and
•
reiterated
the Council’s “demand that Iraq allow immediate, unconditional
and
unrestricted
access to the Special Commission to any site … and in
particular
… fixed
wing and helicopter flights throughout Iraq for all relevant
purposes …
without
interferences of any kind and upon such terms and conditions as may
be
determined
by the Special Commission”.
353.
Acting under
Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the measures adopted by the
Council
included:
•
condemning
Iraq’s actions detailed in UNSCOM’s report of
6 October;
•
deciding
that Iraq’s refusal to co-operate constituted a “flagrant
violation” of its
obligations
and demanding its full co-operation;
•
demanding
that Iraq should “co-operate fully with the Special Commission
in
accordance
with the relevant resolutions”;
•
expressing
the “firm intention”, if UNSCOM reported Iraq was not in
compliance
with
paragraphs 2 and 3 of resolution 1115, “to adopt measures which
would
oblige all
States to prevent without delay the entry into or transit through
their
territories
of all Iraqi officials and members of the Iraqi armed forces
who
are
responsible for or participate in instances of non-compliance …
[with
the
exception of] persons carrying out bona fide diplomatic assignments
or
missions”;
and
•
reaffirming
its “full support for the authority of the Special Commission …
to
ensure the
implementation of its mandate”.
354.
The record of
the discussion demonstrates serious divisions in the Council
over
the
approach adopted, with the UK and US speaking in strong terms about
the need
for action
while the members who abstained argued that the terms of the
resolution
were
unbalanced and unlikely to bring about a resolution of the problems
faced
144
UN Security
Council resolution 1134 (1997).
145
UN Security
Council, ‘3826th Meeting Thursday 23 October 1997’
(S/PV.3826).
87