Weapons of Mass Destruction: U.N. Confronts Significant Challenges in Implementing Sanctions against Iraq
Abstract
After nearly 12 years of debate, U.N. sanctions against Iraq remain controversial. U.N. sanctions were first imposed in August 1990 following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. In 1991, the Security Council declared Iraq a threat to international security and focused the sanctions on stopping Iraq from acquiring or developing biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. To achieve this, the Security Council prohibited all nations from buying Iraqi oil or selling the country any commodities, except for food and medicine. It further established a weapons inspection regime to ensure that Iraq destroyed its weapons of mass destruction and stopped its weapons programs. In 1995, concerned about the humanitarian need of the Iraqi people, the Security Council established a U.N. program that controls Iraq's oil sales and allows the purchase of food, medicine, and essential civilian goods (the oil for food program). In 2001, with international support for the sanctions eroding, the Security Council passed a new sanctions resolution intended to address humanitarian concerns while continuing to stop Iraq from rebuilding its weapons systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA403273
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office