    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [September 23, 1993]
    [Pages 1586-1588]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Iraq
    September 23, 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.
        Since my last report, Iraq has informed Rolf Ekeus, Chairman of the
    U.N. Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM), that it is ready to comply
    with U.N. Security Council Resolution 715, which requires Iraq to
    implement plans for long-term monitoring and verification of its weapons
    of mass destruction (WMD) programs, provide new data about the suppliers
    of its program, and accept inspections. I appreciate Chairman Ekeus'
    efforts to obtain Iraq's ac-

    [[Page 1587]]

    knowledgement of its international obligation.
        We must recognize, however, that important issues remain unresolved.
    Although Iraq accepted the immediate installation of monitoring cameras
    on rocket test stands, it has not permitted the cameras to be turned on.
    Iraq has failed to provide a complete list of critical supplies of its
    WMD programs and continues to delay inspection activities, for example,
    by refusing flight clearance for an upcoming inspection. Saddam Hussein
    is committed to rebuilding his WMD capability, especially nuclear
    weapons, and his regime has thus far shown that it will fail to act in
    good faith to comply with its international obligations. Our continued
    vigilance is necessary.
        The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and UNSCOM conducted
    four nuclear, chemical, and missile-related inspections since my last
    report. A chemical destruction group remains at Al Muthanna to monitor
    the destruction of thousands of chemical munitions, and a helicopter
    inspection team also remains in Iraq. Along with damage inflicted in
    combat, UNSCOM/IAEA inspections have effectively put the Iraqi nuclear
    weapons program out of business in the near-term and have substantially
    impaired Iraq's other WMD programs. Their efforts have contributed
    markedly to the stability of the region.
        The ``no-fly zones'' over northern and southern Iraq permit the
    monitoring of 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 in the region. Since the no-fly
    zone was established in southern Iraq, Iraq's use of aircraft against
    its population in the region has stopped, as have large-scale troop
    movements. On July 29, two Coalition aircraft in the southern no-fly
    zone fired on Iraqi anti-aircraft installations after detecting target
    acquisition radars. On August 19, aircraft supporting Operation Provide
    Comfort in the northern no-fly zone were fired on by an Iraqi anti-
    aircraft installation. In response, Coalition aircraft fired on and hit
    the installation, which has not displayed hostile intentions
    subsequently.
        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. Since early August, the Iraqi government has cut off
    electricity to northern Iraq, interfering with potable water supplies,
    impairing medical facilities, and contributing to at least 50 deaths. We
    are working with the United Nations to provide temporary generators and
    spare parts. We continue to support new U.N. efforts to mount a relief
    program for persons in Baghdad and the south and will ensure that the
    United Nations will be able to prevent the Iraqi government from
    diverting supplies. We are continuing to work toward the placement of
    human rights monitors throughout Iraq as proposed by Max van der Stoel,
    Special Rapporteur of the U.N. Human Rights Commission, and to work for
    the establishment of a United Nations Commission to investigate and
    publicize Iraqi war crimes and other violations of international
    humanitarian law.
        The U.N. sanctions regime exempts medicine and, in the case of
    foodstuffs, requires only that the U.N. Sanctions Committee be notified
    of food shipments. In accordance with paragraph 20 of Resolution 687,
    the committee received notices of 20 million tons of foodstuffs to be
    shipped to Iraq through June 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 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 so far refused to sell $1.6 billion in oil
    as previously authorized by the Security Council in Resolutions 706 and
    712. Talks between Iraq and the United Nations on implementing these
    resolutions resumed briefly in July but concluded without results when
    the Iraqi delegation left the talks. Iraq could use proceeds from such
    sales to purchase foodstuffs, medicines, materials, and supplies for
    essential civilian needs of its population, subject to U.N. monitoring
    of sales and the equitable distribution of humanitarian supplies
    (including to its northern provinces). Iraqi authorities bear full
    responsibility for any suffering in Iraq that results from their refusal
    to implement Resolutions 706 and 712.
        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 900,000 claims so far, with a
    total of roughly two million expected. The U.S. Government is

    [[Page 1588]]

    preparing to file a sixth set of individual claims with the Commission,
    bringing U.S. claims filed to roughly 2,700. 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 humanitarian relief, UNSCOM, and the Compensation Commission.
    (The funds will be repaid, with interest, from Iraqi oil revenues as
    soon as Iraqi oil exports resume.) 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. We have arranged a total of
    over $100 million in such matching contributions thus far.
        Iraq still has not met its obligations concerning Kuwaitis and
    third-country nationals it detained during the war. Iraq has taken no
    substantive steps to cooperate fully with the International Committee of
    the Red Cross (ICRC), as required by Security Council Resolution 687,
    although it has received over 600 files on missing individuals. Iraq
    refused to participate in a July 29 meeting under the auspices of the
    ICRC to consider further steps with regard to these missing persons. We
    continue to work for Iraqi compliance.
        Iraq can rejoin the community of civilized nations only through
    democratic processes, 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, which is committed to
    the territorial integrity and unity of Iraq, would be a stabilizing
    force in the Gulf region. The Iraqi National Congress (INC) espouses
    these goals. In August, Iraq's ambassadors to Tunisia and Canada fled to
    Britain and announced their support for the INC.
        I am grateful for the support by the Congress of our efforts.
        Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of
    the Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on September 24.