Important Documents
Security Council Documents
2003
In this resolution, the Security Council endorses the occupation, by authorizing the "multinational force" to take "all necessary measures to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq." The document also maps out the political process, including drafting of a constitution and holding elections.
See draft versions of this resolution: First Draft (US-UK) | Amendments (France, Russia, Germany) | Second Draft | Third Draft. Also see the Joint Statement by Russia, Germany and France expressing their reservations about the limited scop of the resolution. The governments have announced that they will not contribute money and troops.
Resolution 1500 (August 14, 2003)
This short resolution welcomes the establishment of the Iraqi Governing Council. It also establishes the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq as proposed by the Secretary-General in his July report and fullfils his mandate under Resolution 1483. Unfortunately the resolution neglects key issues such as power and financial burden sharing as well as many other matters.
Resolution 1483 (May 22, 2003)
This resolution gives the US-UK forces control over Iraq's political development and financial resources for 12 months and immediately lifts the sanctions. In an effort to win the support of France, Russia, China and Germany, the US and the UK give what they call an "enhanced" role to the UN but remains mainly advisory. Syria was absent and did not vote.
See draft versions: First Draft | Second Draft
Letter from the UK and the US to the President of the Security Council (May 8, 2003)
In a separate letter to the Security Council president, the US and the UK officially announce the creation of a Coalition Provisional Authority, "to exercise powers of [the Iraqi] government temporarily."
Sanctions and the Oil-For-Food Programme
Also See GPF' section on Sanctions Against Iraq
List
of UN SC Resolutions on the Oil-for-Food Programme
Resolution
1483 (May 22, 2003)
The resolution adopted 14-0 in the Security
Council with Syria absent gives the US-UK forces control of Iraq and immediately
lifts the sanctions.
Resolution
1472 (March 28, 2003)
The Security Council unanimously approved
this adjustments to the Oil-for-Food program. The resolution gives UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan more authority to administer the program and provide humanitarian aid
to Iraqi civilians.
UK
Proposed Amendments (March 24, 2003)
The UK proposes modifications
to the Non-Paper, thus watering the text.
Non-Paper
on the Oil-For-Food Programme (March 23, 2003)
This "Non-Paper"
is the basis of discussions on how to adapt the Oil-for-Food Programme during
wartime. The "controversial" parts are italicized.
Secretary
General's Proposal for the Oil-for-Food Programme (March 19, 2003)
Answering the request by the President of the Security Council, the Secretary
General issues proposals on how to adapt the Oil-for-Food Programme during wartime.
The draft raises many questions, especially on its implementation, since UN personnel
have left Iraq.
Resolution
1409 (May 14, 2002)
The full text of resolution 1409, renewing
the sanctions on Iraq and drawing up a Goods Review List, to which a list of revised
procedures is attached for implementation.
Open
Letter to the Security Council Concerning the Humanitarian Situation in Iraq (August
4, 2000)
Global Policy Forum, Save the Children-UK, and four
other NGOs write to the UN Security Council urging the necessity to protect and
advance fundamental rights of civilians in Iraq. The letter also urges the need
to devise sanctions that are targeted, effective and credible.
Introductory
Statement by Benon V. Sevan, Executive Director of the Iraq Programme at the Informal
Consultations of the Security Council (June 6, 2000)
In an informal
consultation with the UN Security Council, Mr. Sevan highlighted the achievements
and difficulties in implementing Iraq's oil-for-food program. For an effective
implementation, he argued that the UN program needs to strengthen the relationship
with the Iraqi government and avoid the politicization of the program.(United
Nations Office of the Iraq Programme: oil for food)
Open
Letter to the Security Council Concerning the Humanitarian Situation in Iraq (March
22, 2000)
A group of NGOs including GPF have produced a statement
expressing concern about Iraq's humanitarian crisis and calling for a "radical
redesign" to make sanctions that are "more targeted, effective and credible."
Resolution
687 (April 3, 1991)
The cease-fire resolution, declared that the
full trade embargo against Iraq would remain in place, pending periodic reviews
every 60 days (para. 21) and every 120 days (para. 28) of Iraqi compliance with
the obligations imposed under Resolution 687.
Resolution
661 (August 6, 1990)
Resolution 661 imposed economic sanctions
on Iraq, including a full trade embargo barring all imports from and exports to
Iraq.
Also See GPF's Page on the Road to War
Draft Side Statement (March 12, 2003)
The US, UK and Spain, seeking to win more support for their position, have outlined
benchmarks to determine whether Iraq has taken the "strategic decision" to disarm
by March 17, 2003. Had it been adopted along with the draft resolution, the text
would have required the Security Council to pass a new resolution (subject to
US-UK veto) stating that Iraq is in compliance.
Draft
Resolution on Iraq From the US, Britain and Spain (March 7, 2003)
Draft
resolution by the US, Britain and Spain as amended by the UK, declaring that "Iraq
will have failed to take the final opportunity afforded by resolution 1441 (2002)
unless, on or before March 17, 2003, the Council concludes that Iraq has demonstrated
full, unconditional, immediate and active cooperation". Consequently the
draft seeks approval for military action. The draft was withdrawn on March 17,
2003 due to lack of support.
Joschka Fischer's Statement to the UN Security Council (March 19, 2003)
Statement by German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer at UN Security Council
regarding the inevitable war in Iraq and Germany's continuing belief in solving
the crisis by peaceful means.
Dominique de Villepin's Statement to the UN Security Council (March 19, 2003)
The Full transcript of French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin's
statement on the Iraq crisis and his opposition to war. (Permanent Mission
of France to the United Nations)
Joint
Statement by France, Russia and Germany (March 5, 2003)
Paris,
Moscow and Berlin oppose the US-UK draft resolution, and they threaten to veto
it. "We will not let a proposed resolution pass that would authorize the use of
force," says the document. "Russia and France, as permanent members of the Security
Council, will assume all their responsibilities on this point."
Iraq
Memorandum Presented by France, Russia and Germany (February 24, 2003)
France,
Russia and Germany present to the UN Security Council this detailed plan for Iraq's
disarmament. The plan proposes to strengthen the weapon inspections as an alternative
to war.
Dominique
de Villepin's Statement to the UN Security Council (February 14, 2003)
Full transcript of the French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin's
powerful statement on the UN weapons inspection program and his opposition against
an armed conflict with Iraq. (Embassy of France in the United States)
Joschka
Fischer's Statement to the UN Security Council (February 14, 2003)
Full transcript of the German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer's statement
regarding the UN weapons inspection program and the German opposition against
a war with Iraq. (Federal Foreign Office)
Powell's
Speech to the Security Council (February 5, 2003)
In a media show,
US Secretary of State Colin Powell addresses the UN Security Council. Powell shows
satellite photos and other covert evidence, arguing that Iraq is in "material
breach" with Resolution 1441. (US Mission Transcript)
Canada's
Proposal for an Iraq Solution (February, 2003)
The Canadian plan
on the Iraq crisis titled "Ideas on Bridging the Divide intends to bridge
the difference between the members of the UN Security Council. (Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation)
Security
Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq (November 8, 2002)
This resolution,
drafted by the US and the UK, states that Iraq "has been and remains in material
breach of its obligations" under previous resolutions, and demands that "Iraq
cooperate immediately, unconditionnally, and actively with UNMOVIC and IAEA."
This resolution was adopted unanimously. Whereas the US argues that 1441 gives
it the authority to lauch a war against Iraq, other members of the Security Coucil
insist that the resolution does not imply the automatic use of force.
Also See GPF's Page on Weapons Inspections Programme
Security
Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq (November 8, 2002)
This resolution,
drafted by the US and the UK, states that Iraq "has been and remains in material
breach of its obligations" under previous resolutions, and demands that "Iraq
cooperate immediately, unconditionnally, and actively with UNMOVIC and IAEA."
This resolution was adopted unanimously. Whereas the US argues that 1441 gives
it the authority to lauch a war against Iraq, other members of the Security Coucil
insist that the resolution does not imply the automatic use of force.
Draft Side Statement (March 12, 2003)
The US, UK and Spain, seeking to win more support for their position, have outlined
benchmarks to determine whether Iraq has taken the "strategic decision" to disarm
by March 17, 2003. If adopted along with the draft resolution, the text would
require the Security Council to pass a new resolution stating that Iraq is in
compliance.
Draft
Resolution on Iraq From the US, Britain and Spain (March 7, 2003)
Draft
resolution by the US, Britain and Spain as amended by the UK, declaring that "Iraq
will have failed to take the final opportunity afforded by resolution 1441 (2002)
unless, on or before March 17, 2003, the Council concludes that Iraq has demonstrated
full, unconditional, immediate and active cooperation". Consequently the
draft seeks approval for military action.
Statement
by Hans Blix to the UN Security Council (March 19, 2003)
Full transcript
from chief UN weapons inspector Dr. Hans Blix's report to the UN Security Council
on Iraq's weapons program.
Draft
Work Programme (March 17, 2003)
Document containing a draft work
program submitted by UNMOVIC for approval by the Security Council to discharge
its mandate in Iraq.
Statement
by Hans Blix to the UN Security Council (March 7, 2003)
Full transcript
from chief UN weapons inspector Dr. Hans Blix's report to the UN Security Council
on Iraq's weapons program.
Statement by Mohamed Elbaradei to the UN Security Council (March 7, 2003)
Full
transcript from the IAEA Director General Mohamed Elbaradei's report to the UN
Security Council on Iraq's weapons program.
Unresolved
Disarmament Issues (March 6, 2003)
The March 7 report given by UNMOVIC
to members of the UN Security Council about Iraq's proscribed weapons programs
and remaining key disarmament tasks.
Iraq
Memorandum Presented by France, Russia and Germany (February 24, 2003)
France,
Russia and Germany present to the UN Security Council this detailed plan for Iraq's
disarmament. The plan proposes to strengthen the weapon inspections as an alternative
to war.
Statement
by Hans Blix to the UN Security Council (February 14, 2003)
Full
transcript from the chief UN weapons inspector Dr. Hans Blix's report to the UN
Security Council on Iraq's weapons program.
Statement
by Mohamed Elbaradei to the UN Security Council (February 14, 2003)
Full
transcript from the IAEA Director General Mohamed Elbaradei's report to the UN
Security Council on Iraq's weapons program.
Anticipating
Inspections: UNMOVIC Readies Itself for Iraq (Jul/Aug 2000)
In
this extensive interview with Arms Control Today, Hans Blix speaks of UNMOVIC
and the differing political wills in the Security Council, as well as Iraq's position
on Resolution 1284.
Resolution
1284 ( December 17, 1999)
Resolution 1284 establishes UNMOVIC as
a subsidiary organ of the Council to replace UNSCOM.
Security
Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq (November 8, 2002)
This resolution,
drafted by the US and the UK, states that Iraq "has been and remains in material
breach of its obligations" under previous resolutions, and demands that "Iraq
cooperate immediately, unconditionnally, and actively with UNMOVIC and IAEA."
This resolution was adopted unanimously. Whereas the US argues that 1441 gives
it the authority to lauch a war against Iraq, other members of the Security Coucil
insist that the resolution does not imply the automatic use of force.
Explanation
of Vote on Security Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq (November 8, 2002)
Statement
by the US
"This Resolution contains no 'hidden triggers' and no 'automaticity'
with respect to the use of force (…) This resolution does not constrain any member
state from acting to defend itself against the threat posed by Iraq, or to enforce
relevant UN resolutions and protect world peace and security," stated Ambassador
Negroponte.
Statement by the UK
"There is no 'automaticity' in this Resolution. If there is a further
Iraqi breach of its disarmament obligations, the matter will return to the Council
for discussion," states Ambassador Greenstock, when clarifying the UK position.
Statement by France
Ambassador
Levitte welcomes the "two-stage approach" and the fact that "all elements of automaticity
have disappeared from the resolution."
Statement
by China
Ambassador Zhang Yishan welcomes the fact that "the text
no longer includes automaticity for authorizing the use of force. According to
the resolution, only upon receipt of a report by UNMOVIC and the IAEA on Iraq's
non-compliance and failure to cooperate fully in the implementation of this resolution
shall the Security Council consider the situation and take a position."
Statement
by Russia
"As a result of intensive negotiations, the resolution
just adopted contains no provisions for the automatic use of force," reiterates
Ambassador Lavrov. He also warns against the "temptation of unilateral interpretation
of the resolution's provisions" by certain members.
Russian
Draft Security Council Resolution on Iraq (October 25, 2002)
Russia
presents an alternative draft resolution on Iraq. The draft states that the Security
Council shall meet and discuss compliance with relevant resolutions if
Iraq hinders inspectors.
Draft
of a US-British Resolution on Iraq (October 25, 2002)
The new working
version of a UN Security Council Resolution on Iraq, drafted by the United States
and Britain, includes no explicit authorization of the use of "all necessary means"
but leaves the way open for Washington to go to war.
French
Unofficial Draft Resolution on Iraq (October, 2002)
This unofficial
French draft resolution was circulated among the members of the Security Council
as the alternative resolution to the first tough UK-US draft. (CASI)
US-Britain
Draft Security Council Resolution on Iraq (October 2, 2002)
The
breach of any provision laid out in this resolution would authorize member states
"to use all necessary means."
