Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Title:  "Editorial: Another UN Rebuke to Iraq." In an overwhelming vote, which further isolates Iraq from the international community, the UN Security Council authorized UN members to enforce economic sanctions against Iraq. (900828)

Translated Title:  "ONU: Un Nouveau Blame Contre l'Irak." (900828)
Date:  19900828

Text:
*TXT201

08/28/90 1Me Op EDITORIAL: ANOTHER U.N. REBUKE TO IRAQ (450)

(Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America August 28, reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)

The United Nations has delivered its fifth decisive rebuke to the government of Iraq. In another overwhelming vote, which further isolates Iraq from the international community, the U.N. Security Council authorized U.N. members to enforce economic sanctions against Iraq and Iraqi-controlled Kuwait. Nations with naval forces in the Persian Gulf region may now, under U.N. authority, use what measures may be necessary to ensure that the sanctions are implemented. This historic act represents the first time that the United Nations has authorized such action to enforce its own sanctions.

The prior four resolutions by the Security Council, all passed without opposition, have: condemned the Iraqi invasion, demanding the immediate, unconditional withdrawal of all of Baghdad's forces from Kuwait; ordered the trade and financial boycott of Iraq; declared null and void Iraq's annexation of Kuwait; and unanimously demanded that Iraq release all detained foreigners. Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has responded to this universal condemnation with further violations of international law, including hostile actions against foreign embassies in Kuwait and the seizure of scores of foreign citizens there and in Iraq. As U.S. Permanent Representative to the U.N. Thomas Pickering said: "It has been these actions by Iraq to confront the (Security) Council, to evade its resolutions, and to thumb its nose at all humanity that have forced the Council to take this deeply serious and most significant step of its history." This step, said a spokesman for President George Bush, expressed "the commitment of the world to act effectively to achieve the complete, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraq from Kuwait."

The world's determination is also expressing itself in the form of a

formidable gathering of military forces to protect Saudi Arabia and to enforce the sanctions. More than 20 countries have committed themselves to sending naval or ground forces to the area. They include a large number of Muslim countries from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, several European countries, and the United States, Canada and Australia. That so many different nations have rallied to this cause is an

GE 2 TXT201 indication of the magnitude of the moral issue at stake. As Ambassador Pickering stated: "History will judge us by our resolve in the face of Iraq's threats to international peace and security." NNNN

File Identification:  08/28/90, TX-201; 08/28/90, AE-210; 08/28/90, AF-207; 08/28/90, AR-219; 08/28/90, PX-202; 08/28/90, EU-212; 08/28/90, NE-205; 08/28/90, AS-222; 08/29/90, NA-304
Product Name:  Wireless File; VOA Editorials
Product Code:  WF; VO
Languages:  French; Spanish; Arabic
Keywords:  UNITED NATIONS; EMBARGOES; IRAQ-KUWAIT RELATIONS; INVASIONS; NAVAL SHIPS
Document Type:  EDI
Thematic Codes:  1UN; 1NE
Target Areas:  AF; AR; EA; EU; NE
PDQ Text Link:  152378; 152412; 152503