1.1 | UK
Iraq strategy 1990 to 2000
396.
On
12 November, the Security Council unanimously adopted
resolution 1137
(1997),
which:
•
recalled
the Council’s previous resolutions;
•
stated its
“grave concern” about recent developments;
•
condemned
Iraq’s continued violation of its obligations, “including
its
unacceptable
decision … to seek to impose conditions on co-operation”
with
UNSCOM;
•
demanded
Iraq rescind its decision of 29 October; and
•
decided to
impose a travel ban on designated Iraqi officials, as foreshadowed
in
397.
The resolution
also expressed the Council’s “firm intention to take further
measures
as may be
required for the implementation of this resolution”.
398.
In statements
to the Council before and after the vote, all members of the
Council
supported
united action and targeted sanctions in response to Iraq’s defiance
of the UN,
but
significant differences in position remained.
399.
Mr Elaraby
drew attention to the impact of sanctions on the Iraqi people and
the
lack of
hope that they would be lifted.160
Iraq’s
co-operation had “not been ideal”, but it
had gone a
long way. Iraq’s defiance and failure to respond to attempts to
persuade it
to change
its position were unwise because it meant “squandering the
achievements
made on
Iraq’s long road of co-operation with the Special Commission”.
There
were lessons
from the crisis, including that the Council should “review”
UNSCOM’s
methods.
Iraq should not be pushed “into believing that it has nothing to
gain from
its
continued co-operation with the Commission and nothing to lose from
a cessation
of that co‑operation”.
400.
Mr Njuguna
Mahugu, Kenyan Permanent Representative to the UN, stated
that
the current
level of tension “must not be allowed to escalate any
further”.
401.
Mr Dejammet
stated that he had believed reason would prevail and
regretted
Iraq’s refusal
to rescind its decision. A “strong and unanimous reaction” was
required,
but it had
to be “balanced and commensurate with the realities of the
situation”. The
“search for
a peaceful solution” would not be hampered by the travel bans, and
France
continued
“to advocate strongly that any action” should be “considered and
led strictly
within the
framework of the Security Council”. The resolution did not
“encourage
or justify
any escalation”. The Council should “persevere” in an “active
search for
a diplomatic
solution”.
159
UN Security
Council resolution 1137 (1997).
160
UN Security
Council, ‘3831st Meeting Wednesday 12 November 1997’
(S/PV.3831).
95