The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

509. Following informal discussions in the Security Council on 27 April in which Iraq’s

compliance with resolution 1137 was raised, Mr Butler reported to the Council on 6 May

that, since the MOU of 23 February:

• Iraq had “granted unrestricted and unconditional access” to all sites UNSCOM

had wished to inspect and also granted unrestricted access to equipment.

• The issue of access to means of transportation and to officials UNSCOM wished

to interview had “not arisen”.

• Mr Butler hoped that Iraq would provide the records UNSCOM had requested.202

510. Mr Butler stated that, “under the circumstances”, the requirements of resolution

1137 were being “sufficiently implemented” to allow travel restrictions to be lifted.

511. On 1 May, the President of the Security Council provided members with a letter

written to him by Mr Al-Sahaf, which said:

“The fact that, after eight years, the sanctions against Iraq have not been lifted

demonstrates the Security Council’s lack of impartiality in dealing with this

matter. The Security Council has failed to discharge its responsibilities under the

Charter of the United Nations, whereas Iraq has satisfied all the requirements

and conditions set forth in Security Council resolution 687 (1991), section C.

The Security Council must now do its part, meeting its obligations towards Iraq

by implementing resolution 687 (1991), paragraph 22, without further delay.”203

512. An UNSCOM “informal paper” providing a “statement of specific tasks and

information” which would need to be completed and verified before a report could be

made, pursuant to resolution 687 (1991), that Iraq had completed the disarmament

actions required, was presented to the Security Council on 4 June.204 In addition, the

Commission would need to conclude that Iraq had ceased concealment of proscribed

programmes.

513. The tasks included:

• Completion of a “material balance” for:

{{missile warheads;

{{“special munitions”, including 155mm mustard shells and R-400 chemical/

biological aerial bombs;

202 UN Security Council, 6 May 1998, ‘Letter dated 6 May 1998 from the Executive Chairman of the

Special Commission established by the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 9 (b) (i) of Security

Council resolution 687 (1991) addressed to the President of the Security Council’ (S/1888/377).

203 UN Security Council, 4 May 1998, ‘Letter dated 1 May 1998 from the Permanent Representative of Iraq

to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council’ (S/1998/368).

204 UN Security Council, 17 June 1998, ‘Report by the Executive Chairman of the Special Commission

established by the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 9 (b) (i) of Security Council resolution 687

(1991), on his mission to Baghdad, 11-15 June 1998’, ‘Appendix I – Informal paper presented to the

Security Council on 4 June 1998’ (S/1998/529).

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