17 December 1999
Fact Sheet on Iraq Omnibus Resolution
(New Security Council resolution reaffirms Iraq's obligations to disarm) (680) Following is text of fact sheet on the United Nations Security Council Resolution on Iraq adopted December 17, 1999: (begin fact sheet) IRAQ OMNIBUS RESOLUTION SUMMARY This resolution reaffirms Iraq's obligations to disarm, to provide for the needs of its people, to account for Gulf War missing and to return stolen Kuwaiti property. All members of the UN Security Council have agreed, again, that these obligations on Iraq are unsatisfied and continue. The resolution establishes a new disarmament body and monitoring body -- UNMOVIC -- that maintains UNSCOM's mandate, rights, facilities and immunities. It also includes measures to ensure that -- despite Saddam Hussein's best efforts to prevent it -- the people of Iraq receive the humanitarian goods they require. Iraq can sell as much oil as it needs to meet the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people, but all revenue remains under UN control. No Council members voted against this resolution. All Council members are committed to implementation. This resolution was adopted under Chapter VII of the UN charter. It is obligatory, even with abstentions. DISARMAMENT The resolution establishes the UN Monitoring and Verification Commission, UNMOVIC. * A subsidiary body of the Security Council, UNMOVIC retains UNSCOM's mandate, rights, privileges, facilities and immunities. * The UN Secretary General (SYG) will nominate, and the Security Council will approve, the UNMOVIC Executive Chairman, who with the SYG, sets up UNMOVIC. * UNMOVIC and IAEA submit work programs for Council approval (includes monitoring plan and key disarmament tasks). Overall IAEA role unchanged. * Iraq must fulfill key disarmament tasks. Iraq must cooperate with inspectors in all respects: monitoring and unresolved disarmament issues. Iraq must allow access for any inspection. SANCTIONS If Iraq fulfills key disarmament tasks and cooperates with inspectors for 120 days after reinforced monitoring is fully operational, the Council could act to suspend sanctions, provided that appropriate controls are in place. * There will be no change in sanctions unless Iraq cooperates and fulfills key disarmament tasks. * If Iraq fulfills key disarmament tasks and cooperates in all respects with arms inspection teams for 120 days after reinforced monitoring is fully operational, the Security Council will consider a temporary suspension of export and import sanctions -- with effective financial and other controls remaining in place to ensure that Iraq does not exploit the situation to acquire prohibited items. * Under suspension of sanctions, Iraq could import and export civilian goods for humanitarian purposes. The embargo on military imports would remain in place, and dual-use items would continue to require prior approval. * Suspension must be renewed by a positive vote of the Security Council every 120 days. If Iraq ceases cooperation, sanctions would be automatically reimposed. HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE In this resolution, the members of the Security Council commit themselves to take all possible steps to ensure that -- despite Saddam Hussein's best efforts to prevent it -- the people of Iraq receive the humanitarian goods they require. * Improvements to oil-for-food go into effect immediately. Iraq can sell as much oil as it needs to meet the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people, but all revenue remains under UN control. The resolution also makes a number of changes that should expedite delivery of humanitarian items and allows Iraqis easier access to a greater range of basic goods. * The Sanctions Committee will define a list of goods for automatic approval. This will not include dual-use items with potential use for either military or Weapons of Mass Destruction purposes. The Secretary General will plan, with UNSC approval, use of oil-for-food money for the local purchase of goods and services. * The resolution reiterates the obligation on Iraq to improve the oil-for-food program: to distribute goods more quickly and to help especially women, children, the elderly, etc. * The SYG is requested to maximize program effectiveness and report obstacles to the Security Council. (end fact sheet) (Distributed by Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)
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