    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [May 21, 1993]
    [Pages 715-717]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Iraq's Compliance With
    United Nations Security Council Resolutions
    May 21, 1993

    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 effort to keep the
    Congress fully informed, I am reporting on the status of efforts to
    obtain Iraq's compliance with the resolutions adopted by the U.N.
    Security Council.
        My Administration insists on full Iraqi compliance with all U.N.
    Security Council resolutions. We support Iraqi territorial integrity and
    will continue to support international efforts designed to ensure that
    the Iraqi regime does not threaten international peace and security and
    that it stops the repression of its own people. We continue to work to
    ensure the integrity of the U.N. sanctions regime, which is the best
    means to promote Iraqi compliance.
        In accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 687, the U.N.
    Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM) and the International Atomic Energy
    Agency (IAEA) have conducted four inspections of Iraq's weapons of mass
    destruction (WMD) programs since the events described in my last report.
    Three teams remained in Iraq conducting routine inspection activities: a
    group at Al Muthanna, where the destruction of chemical munitions
    continues; a team that is undertaking medium-to-long-term monitoring of
    missile research and development facilities; and an aerial inspection
    team.
        Ongoing inspections reveal that Iraq still is not complying with
    applicable Security Council resolutions. In March, UNSCOM #52/IAEA #18
    concluded that, of the 242 machine tools at the Hatteen Establishment, a
    large number should have been--but were not--included in Iraq's December
    1991 declaration to the Security Council. U.N. Security Council
    Resolution 687 required Iraq to provide a comprehensive declaration in
    April 1991. The IAEA is now deciding what steps should be taken.
        Iraqi officials have also balked at moving chemical weapon
    precursors and associated equipment to Al Muthanna for destruction,
    despite express instructions from UNSCOM head Rolf Ekeus. Ekeus has
    given Iraq until May 31 to comply, after which further steps may be
    necessary.
        In addition, Iraq has refused to give details concerning suppliers
    for its WMD programs, although there have been repeated inquiries. Iraq
    has continued its refusal to accept a long-term monitoring regime for
    Iraq's WMD infrastructure. The international community must insist on
    such long-term monitoring as called for in U.N. Security Council
    Resolution 715.
        United Nations vehicles in Iraq are regularly vandalized, and
    inspectors' personal property is often stolen. Iraqi officials should
    take steps to improve the hostile environment, which the U.N. Sanctions
    Committee has noted is not in

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    accordance with Iraq's obligations. Instead of taking appropriate
    action, on March 10 Iraqi officials alleged that information from U.N.
    U2 aircraft had been given to Israel for use in an attempt on Saddam
    Hussein's life. Iraq called for the end of U2 flights based on this
    assertion, which is not credible but may be designed to create
    resentment toward U.N. personnel in Iraq. The flights continue.
        I said in my last report that the United States and our allies will
    not shrink from the use of force in accordance with Security Council
    resolutions. On two occasions since my last report, force has been
    necessary. On April 9, an Iraqi antiaircraft site tracked and engaged
    four U.S. aircraft monitoring Iraqi compliance in the no-fly zone
    established north of the 36th parallel. Two U.S. aircraft responded by
    dropping cluster bombs on the target; the site has not since attempted
    to engage U.S. or Coalition aircraft. On April 18, two Iraqi
    antiaircraft sites aggressively tracked and illuminated U.S. aircraft
    monitoring Iraqi compliance with the no-fly zone south of the 32d
    parallel. One plane fired a missile at one site, which was hit; no
    electronic emissions have since been detected from either site.
        The ``no-fly zones'' over northern and southern Iraq monitor Iraq's
    compliance with Security Council Resolutions 687 and 688. Over the last
    2 years, the northern no-fly zone has deterred Iraq from a major
    military offensive against the Kurdish and other inhabitants of the
    north. Since the no-fly zone was established in southern Iraq, Iraq's
    use of aircraft in aggression against its population in the region has
    stopped, as have large-scale troop movements. Nevertheless, evidence
    continues to mount concerning the massive extent of the Iraqi
    Government's human rights violations, both before and after the Persian
    Gulf war. Max van der Stoel, Special Rapporteur to the U.N. Human Rights
    Commission, has recently developed a plan for the placement of human
    rights monitors throughout Iraq. We support his proposal and are working
    to see that it is implemented.
        In late April, the United States announced our support for the
    establishment of a U.N. commission to investigate Iraqi acts of
    genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The Commission would
    prepare information for use in possible prosecution; it would also
    provide the international community with a thorough, impartial record of
    atrocities committed by Iraqi officials against the populations of Iraq
    and neighboring states. We are consulting with our allies on the
    creation of the commission. In accordance with Security Council
    Resolution 674, all states and organizations with substantiated
    information of Iraqi atrocities should provide such information to the
    United Nations; the United States did so earlier this year.
        The International community has continued its efforts, consistent
    with Security Council resolutions, to alleviate suffering in Iraq. The
    United States is working closely with the United Nations and other
    organizations to provide humanitarian relief to the people of northern
    Iraq in the face of Iraqi Government efforts to disrupt this assistance.
    We continue to support new U.N. efforts to mount a relief program for
    persons in Baghdad and the south but must ensure that the United Nations
    will be able to prevent the Iraqi Government from diverting supplies.
        The U.N. sanctions regime exempts medicine and requires only that
    the U.N. Sanctions Committee be notified of food shipments. In
    accordance with paragraph 20 of Resolution 867, the Committee received
    notices of 17 million tons of foodstuffs to be shipped to Iraq through
    January 1993. The Sanctions Committee also continues to consider and,
    when appropriate, approve requests to send to Iraq materials and
    supplies for essential civilian needs. The Iraqi Government, in
    contrast, has for months maintained a full embargo against its northern
    provinces and has acted to distribute humanitarian supplies only to its
    supporters and to the military.
        The Iraqi Government has refused to sell up to $1.6 billion in oil,
    as is provided for in Security Council Resolutions 706 and 712. Iraq
    could use proceeds from such sales to purchase, under U.N. supervision,
    foodstuffs, medicines, materials, and supplies for essential civilian
    needs of its population. Iraqi authorities bear full responsibility for
    any suffering in Iraq that results from their refusal to implement
    Resolutions 706 and 712.
        Eventually, proceeds from oil sales also would be used to compensate
    persons injured by Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait.
    The U.N. Compensation Commission has received about 800,000 claims so
    far, with a total of roughly 2 million expected. The Commission's
    Governing Council, at its last meeting, approved the appointments of
    three panels, which will begin considering individuals' claims of up to
    $100,000. The Council also decided to allow

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    governments until October 1, 1993, to file individual claims. The United
    States Government is prepared to file a fourth set of individual claims
    with the Commission, bringing U.S claims filed to about 1,000. The
    Commission's efforts will facilitate the compensation of those injured
    by Iraq once sufficient funds become available.
        Security Council Resolution 778 permits the use of a portion of
    frozen Iraqi oil assets to fund crucial U.N. activities concerning Iraq,
    including UNSCOM, humanitarian relief, and the Compensation Commission.
    (The funds will be repaid, with interest, from Iraqi oil revenues as
    soon as Iraqi oil exports resume.) Pursuant to Executive Order No.
    12817, the United States is prepared to transfer up to $200 million in
    frozen Iraqi oil assets held in U.S. financial institutions, provided
    that U.S. contributions do not exceed 50 percent of the total amount
    contributed. The United Kingdom has recently transferred 1 million
    pounds sterling to the escrow account, and we have arranged the transfer
    of the equivalent amount. (The United States previously transferred a
    total of $50 million to match Saudi and Kuwaiti contributions.) We
    continue to encourage contributions from other countries.
        Iraq has not met its obligations concerning Kuwaitis and third-
    country nationals it detained during the war. Kuwait has compiled over
    600 files on missing individuals. Although Iraq has received this
    information through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),
    it has taken no substantive steps to cooperate fully with the ICRC, as
    is required by Security Council Resolution 687. Iraq continues to resist
    unqualified ICRC access to detention facilities in Iraq. Regional
    organizations have also been engaged--thus far to no avail--in trying to
    obtain Iraqi compliance on the issue of detainees. We continue to work
    for Iraqi compliance.
        The United Nations has continued its technical task of demarcating
    the previously agreed Iraq-Kuwait border. The Iraq-Kuwait Boundary
    Demarcation Commission is expected to submit its final report later this
    month, notwithstanding Iraq's refusal to participate in the Commission's
    deliberations. In accordance with Security Council Resolution 806, the
    United Nations continues to seek the contribution of an armed battalion
    to the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM), so that
    UNIKOM can take necessary actions to prevent violations of the border
    and the demilitarized zone. The United States and our allies also
    continue to press the Government of Iraq to return all property and
    equipment removed from Kuwait by Iraq.
        Security Council Resolution 687 required Iraq to renounce all acts,
    methods, and practices of terrorism. Kuwait has recently arrested 11
    people and charged them with participation in an assassination plot
    against President Bush. We are investigating this matter in cooperation
    with Kuwaiti authorities.
        In late April, Vice President Gore and Secretary Christopher met
    with representatives of the Iraq National Congress (INC). They stressed
    the need for full compliance by the government in Baghdad with all
    Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. They also emphasized that
    Iraq could be brought back into the community of civilized nations only
    through democracy, respect for human rights, equal treatment of its
    people, and adherence to basic norms of international behavior. A
    government representing all the people of Iraq, and which is committed
    to the territorial integrity and unity of Iraq, would be a stabilizing
    force in the Gulf region. The INC will have the support of the United
    States in achieving these goals.
        I am grateful for the support of the Congress of our efforts.
        Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

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