[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[July 16, 1992]
[Pages 1124-1126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1124]]

Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Iraq's Compliance With 
United Nations Security Council Resolutions

July 16, 1992
Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    Consistent with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against 
Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1), and as part of my continuing effort 
to keep the Congress fully informed, I am again reporting on the status 
of efforts to obtain compliance by Iraq with the resolutions adopted by 
the U.N. Security Council.
    Since the events described in my report of May 15, 1992, the Iraqi 
Government has provided what it terms a ``full, final, and complete'' 
disclosure of its programs for weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The 
Iraqi report, which reached the United Nations 2 months after it was 
originally promised, is now under review by the United Nations Special 
Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency 
(IAEA). The preliminary assessment of these organizations is that the 
Iraqis have provided little new information. The Iraqis also have 
provided the United Nations with a ``Compliance and Monitoring Report,'' 
which aims to satisfy the requirement of U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 175 for a list of all sites subject to long-term monitoring. 
UNSCOM is assessing this report.
    As of July 1, UNSCOM and IAEA have conducted 38 inspections in all 
four weapons categories. From May 26 to June 4, the 12th nuclear 
inspection team oversaw the destruction of three buildings at the al 
Atheer nuclear weapons fabrication facility. It also inspected uranium 
enrichment sites at Tarmiya and Ash Sharqat to prepare for the 
destruction and the rendering harmless of utilities and ventilation 
systems during the 13th inspection in July. The Iraqi Government 
continues to refuse IAEA requests for records detailing foreign 
suppliers of its nuclear weapons program.
    A small Chemical Destruction Group entered Iraq on June 19. This 
team will spend several months in Iraq establishing a base and 
overseeing the long-term destruction of Iraqi chemical agents and 
weapons at the Muthanna Establishment. The operation will be run by a 
large multinational group, including two Americans. UNSCOM estimates the 
operation will take 12 to 18 months to complete. A second combined 
chemical and biological weapons team was in Iraq from June 26 to July 4 
conducting inspections and destroying dual-use chemical production 
equipment.
    From May 14 to 22, the 11th ballistic missile team inspected five 
sites, completed verification of Iraqi destruction of SCUD missile 
production and launcher components, and verified the destruction of 
missile production equipment. The 12th ballistic missile team is in Iraq 
from July 9 to 17 to inspect undeclared sites.
    We view with particular concern the refusal by Iraqi authorities to 
grant immediate access by UNSCOM inspectors to the Agricultural Ministry 
in early July. The President of the U.N. Security Council has 
characterized this refusal as a material and unacceptable breach of 
Resolution 687. We are resolved that Iraq must not be allowed to defy 
the Security Council and evade its responsibilities under this 
resolution.
    Continued Iraqi intransigence with respect to compliance with the 
relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions led UNSCOM to initiate a 
program of aerial surveillance of WMD activity in Iraq on June 21. 
Utilizing UNSCOM's German helicopters, two to three flights will be 
flown per week, with five to six sites covered on each flight; this 
program will provide more immediate and accurate information about Iraqi 
facilities. We strongly favor this aggressive approach by UNSCOM, which 
will broaden UNSCOM's ability to find suspect sites as well as conduct 
long-term monitoring.
    UNSCOM continues to face a shortage of funds. U.S. efforts to 
alleviate this problem will result in payment of approximately $30 
million for UNSCOM by the end of July. Discussions are ongoing with 
other nations regarding contributions by them to UNSCOM.

[[Page 1125]]

    Since my last report, there has been further progress at the U.N. 
Compensation Commission concerning preparations for the processing of 
claims from individuals, corporations, other entities, governments, and 
international organizations that suffered direct loss or damage as a 
result of Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait. The 
Governing Council of the Commission held its sixth session in Geneva 
from June 22 to 26 and has scheduled further meetings in September and 
December. (A meeting tentatively set for November has been cancelled.) 
At its June session, the Council approved the final part of the rules of 
procedure (the first three parts were approved in March). The entire set 
of rules was then issued as a Council decision. The rules provide a 
practical, nontechnical system for processing claims. The Council also 
decided that members of the Allied Coalition Armed Forces who were 
prisoners of war and mistreated in violation of international 
humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions, are eligible 
for compensation in accordance with the claims criteria previously 
adopted.
    The Council continued its discussion of the ``embargo loss'' issue 
and agreed on a statement for the record promising that the issue of 
priority of payments would be considered. Also during the session of 
June 22 to 26, the Commission released to governments the form for 
corporate claims (Form E). The Council also reviewed the draft form for 
claims from governments and international organizations (Form F). The 
Executive Secretary reported that the $2 million loan from the Kuwaiti 
Government has been received, and the Commission has received another $1 
million as a result of the U.S. contribution to the United Nations for 
activities under Resolution 687. The financial impasse of the past 
several months, however, has cost valuable time in developing computer 
software and other key projects. Now that operating funds have been 
received, the Secretariat will press ahead and try to recover as much 
lost time as possible. On June 26, the United States filed its first set 
of 200 claims with the Commission; altogether 10 governments filed 
claims by the end of the week. Meanwhile, the Department of State 
distributed to potential U.S. claimants the form for claims of 
individuals over $100,000 (Form D) and continued to collect and review 
small claims.
    In accordance with paragraph 20 of Resolution 687, the Sanctions 
Committee continues to receive notice of shipments of foodstuffs to 
Iraq. The Sanctions Committee also continues to consider and, when 
appropriate, approve requests to send to Iraq materials and supplies for 
essential civilian needs. Iraq, in contrast, has for months maintained a 
full embargo against its northern provinces. Iraq has also refused to 
utilize the opportunity under Resolutions 706 and 712 to sell $1.6 
billion in oil, most of the proceeds from which could be used by Iraq to 
purchase foodstuffs, medicines, materials, and supplies for essential 
civilian needs of its civilian population. The Iraqi authorities bear 
full responsibility for any suffering in Iraq that results from their 
refusal to implement Resolutions 706 and 712.
    Through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the 
United States, Kuwait, and our allies continue to press the Government 
of Iraq to comply with its obligations under Security Council 
resolutions to return all detained Kuwaiti and third-country nationals. 
Likewise, the United States and its allies continue to press the 
Government of Iraq to return to Kuwait all property and equipment 
removed from Kuwait by Iraq. Iraq continues to resist full cooperation 
on these issues and to resist unqualified ICRC access to detention 
facilities in Iraq.
    Mindful of the finding of the U.N. Security Council in Resolution 
688 that Iraq's repression of its civilian population threatens 
international peace and security in the region, we will continue to 
monitor carefully the treatment of Iraq's citizens in concert with our 
Coalition partners, and together we remain prepared to take appropriate 
steps if the situation requires. To this end, we will continue to 
maintain an appropriate level of forces in the region for as long as 
required by the situation in Iraq.
    I remain grateful for the support of the Congress for these efforts, 
and I look forward to continued cooperation toward achieving our mutual 
objectives.

[[Page 1126]]

    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
                        and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate.