The Golf-Crisis in August 1990 was the first test for the newly strengthened UN. The resolutions of this time are all formulated very clear. It seemed that the international community spoke with one voice on the Iraqi aggression against Kuwait and that the UN could finally work as guarantor of the international peace.
But soon after the US-led military operation “Desert Storm” that pushed the Iraqi army back into their territory the first euphoria started to crumble. In the Security Council Resolution of April 1991 it became clear that there was more to the Iraq-Case than just the aggression against Kuwait. In the formulation of resolution 687 it was obvious that the US wanted to bring the downfall of Saddam Hussein about.
The sanctions which were imposed on Iraq with resolution 661 in August 1990 were redefined and linked to the absolute disarmament of the Iraqi programme for weapons of mass destruction. These sanctions were supposed to increase the pressure on Saddam Hussein to comply with the demands made by the resolutions. Focusing on this the Security Council almost completely ignored the humanitarian aspects of the sanctions. By cutting Iraq off the international trading market and freezing all of its banking accounts it was just a matter of time until Iraq would run out of money and the people would suffer from famine.
First attempts to solve the developing humanitarian crisis of the Iraqi people were made in resolutions 706(1991) and 712(1991) which allowed Iraq to sell limited quantities of oil to meet the people’s needs.
The government of Iraq rejected these resolutions because the sale of petroleum and its products was linked to other demands which were considered to be not acceptable. So it took four more years until the “Oil-for-Food” programme (OFF) in 1995 made a new attempt to handle the increasingly disastrous humanitarian situation in Iraq.
In the ongoing debate about reforming the UN one of the major topics is the debate about “smart” or “targeted sanctions”.
After a brief description of the second Gulf War I will discuss the problems and failures of the UN sanctions policy on Iraq from the Golf-Crisis in 1991 to the outbreak of the current war in 2003 that still haunts the country and compare them to the concept of targeted sanctions. In the end it will be possible to draw some conclusions of what can be learned for the future from the failures that have been made in Iraq.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theory of sanctions
- The logic behind sanctions
- Problems of past sanction regimes
- The concept of targeted sanctions
- Case study on Iraq
- The second Gulf War
- The impact of UN sanctions on post war Iraq
- The humanitarian crisis and the Oil-for-Food program
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the UN's sanctions policy on Iraq from 1990 to 2003, focusing on lessons learned and their implications for future sanctions strategies. It analyzes the theoretical foundations of sanctions, discusses the challenges faced by past regimes, and explores the concept of targeted sanctions. The paper then delves into the case of Iraq, exploring the impact of sanctions on the country's post-war situation and the humanitarian crisis that unfolded.
- The effectiveness and limitations of sanctions as a tool for international conflict resolution.
- The impact of sanctions on the civilian population and the humanitarian implications.
- The importance of targeted sanctions in minimizing unintended consequences and collateral damage.
- The evolution of UN sanctions policy in the post-Cold War era.
- The lessons learned from the Iraq sanctions experience for future applications of sanctions.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the paper by discussing the role of the UN Security Council in the post-Cold War era, focusing on the Iraq case as a crucial test of the UN's effectiveness in conflict resolution. It highlights the evolving dynamics of international relations and the emergence of new challenges, such as the Iraqi aggression against Kuwait, which tested the UN's resolve and ability to enforce international law.
- Theory of Sanctions: This chapter explores the theoretical underpinnings of sanctions as a tool for international diplomacy and conflict resolution. It discusses the logic behind sanctions, examining their intended purpose and the factors that influence their effectiveness. The chapter also delves into the challenges and problems associated with implementing and enforcing sanctions regimes, drawing on historical examples to illustrate the complexities involved.
- Case study on Iraq: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the UN sanctions policy on Iraq from 1990 to 2003. It examines the background of the second Gulf War, exploring the political and military context that led to the imposition of sanctions. The chapter then investigates the impact of sanctions on the Iraqi population, analyzing the humanitarian crisis that ensued and the role of the Oil-for-Food program in attempting to address the dire situation.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper delves into the complex issue of sanctions, focusing on their use in international relations, particularly in the context of the UN's response to the Iraq crisis. Key themes and concepts explored include sanctions, targeted sanctions, humanitarian consequences, international law, conflict resolution, the UN Security Council, Iraq, Gulf War, and the Oil-for-Food program. The paper examines the effectiveness and limitations of sanctions, highlighting the importance of considering their broader implications and minimizing collateral damage.
- Quote paper
- Politikwissenschaftler B.A. Sebastian Feyock (Author), 2008, Lessons learned – The UN’s sanctions policy on Iraq from 1990 to 2003 and its implications for the future, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/94491
