Global Policy Forum

Archives 2000

Ten Years Later, Powell Warns Iraq of More Pain (December 16, 2000)
One of the leaders of the allied forces in the Gulf War is now the US Secretary of State, and Colin Powell says that he will try to "re-energize" sanctions against Iraq. (Arabia Online)

Iraq Rejects New Arms Inspectors (November 30, 2000)
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister again bluntly rules out acceptance of UNMOVIC. Meanwhile, notwithstanding Russia's opposition to sanctions, Iraq and Russia find it "difficult" to agree on circumstances in which they might be lifted. (BBC)

Diplomats Return to Baghdad (November 29, 2000)
Many Western countries, including Japan, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria, are reopening their embassies in Baghdad, a further sign of "the political and economic detente in Iraq." (News24)

UN and Iraq Agree to Begin Dialogue After Ramadan (November 28, 2000)
Baghdad and UN officials are set to begin discussions about sanctions and weapons inspections at the beginning of the new year. Meanwhile, Iraq continues to be a hot topic for members of the Security Council, as Russia calls for an end to the sanctions. (Associated Press)

Despite Sanctions, Iraq Is Back in the Arab Fold (November 23, 2000)
Jordan's prime minister says that sanctions against Iraq are "becoming ridiculous," and his sentiments are increasingly echoed all over the Arab world. It has been a long time since relations between Iraq and other Arab countries were better than they are now. (Washington Post)

Sanctions on Iraq 'Could Go in Six Months' (November 20, 2000)
The British Foreign Office moderates the "tone" of its position on Iraq, though the substance remains the same. Meanwhile, at the UN, the UK is talking to France and Russia about the creation of a system allowing regular flights to Iraq to resume. (Times of London)

Iraq Chipping Away at Sanctions (November 14, 2000)
The apparent slow but steady erosion of sanctions against Iraq continues, as the US and its "hard-line strategy" are increasingly marginalized. (Associated Press)

Diplomatic 'Triumph' for Iraq (November 13, 2000)
Iraq and the UN have agreed to dialogue ‘without preconditions', after Kofi Annan met the Iraqi foreign minister in Qatar. Talks will therefore begin without Iraq meeting the precondition of accepting weapons inspections; will the US and UK disapprove? (BBC)