    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [March 8, 1995]
    [Pages 323-325]
    [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
    March 8, 1995

    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.
        The October 1994 provocation by Iraq is emblematic of Iraq's failure
    to demonstrate the ``peaceful intentions'' called for by the Security
    Council in Resolution 687, which ended the Gulf War. Indeed, since its
    recognition of Kuwait last November, Iraq has done nothing to comply
    with its numerous remaining obligations under Council resolutions. At
    its bimonthly review of Iraq sanctions in January, the Security Council
    voted unanimously to maintain the sanctions regime on Iraq without
    change. We shall also insist that the sanctions be maintained until Iraq
    complies with all relevant provisions of U.N. Security Council (UNSC)
    resolutions.
        The December 1994 report to the Council by the U.N. Special
    Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM) makes clear how far from full compliance
    Iraq remains in the area of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Continued
    vigilance is essential because we believe that Saddam Hussein is
    committed to rebuilding his WMD capability. While UNSCOM has made
    progress in setting up the mechanics of monitoring (e.g., installing
    cameras, tagging equipment, and establishing the Baghdad monitoring
    center), the regime continues to withhold evidence of its past weapons
    programs in violation of the resolutions. Indeed, in the report, UNSCOM
    Chairman Ekeus expressed his conviction ``that important documentation
    (on past weapons programs) still exists and that the Iraqi authorities
    have taken a conscious decision not to release it freely to the
    Commission.'' In the same report, Chairman Ekeus makes clear that this
    information is necessary for a comprehensive weapons monitoring program.
        In addition to noncompliance with the WMD provisions of Security
    Council resolutions, the regime remains in violation of numerous other
    Security Council requirements. The regime has failed to be forthcoming
    with information on hundreds of Kuwaitis and third-country nationals
    missing since the Iraqi occupation. In January, the Kuwaiti government
    submitted to the Secretary General a list of the military equipment
    looted from Kuwait during the War. Iraq has taken no steps to return
    this or other Kuwaiti property stolen during the occupation, with the
    exception of initial preparations for the return of one Kuwaiti
    airplane. During the January review of sanctions, Ambassador Albright
    presented to the Council evidence acquired during Iraq's troop movements
    last October that proves that hundreds of pieces of Kuwaiti military
    hardware are now in the arsenals of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard.
        The UNSC resolutions regarding Iraq do not prevent the shipment of
    food or medicine to that country. Yet the Iraqi government continues to
    maintain an embargo against its northern provinces and to divert
    humanitarian supplies to its supporters and the military. The

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    Iraqi government also still refuses to sell up to $1.6 billion in oil as
    previously authorized by the Security Council in Resolutions 706 and
    712. Iraq could use proceeds from such sales to purchase additional
    foodstuffs, medicines, and supplies for civilian needs. Instead, Iraq's
    refusal to implement Security Council Resolutions 706 and 712 causes
    prolonged and needless suffering.
        The no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq continue to deter
    Iraq from using its aircraft against its population. However, the Iraqi
    government continues its brutal campaign against its perceived enemies
    throughout the country. Iraqi forces periodically shell villages in the
    south and the north with artillery. In the south, Iraqi repression of
    the Shi'a population, and specifically the Marsh Arabs, continues, as
    does a policy of deliberate environmental devastation. In the last few
    years, the population of the marsh region has fallen sharply as Iraqi
    military operations have forcibly dispersed residents to other areas and
    thousands of Shi'a refugees have sought refuge in Iran. The traditional
    lifestyle of Iraq's marsh Arabs, which has endured for centuries, may
    soon disappear altogether. In early February, Iraqi Shi'a oppositionists
    based in southern Iran launched a cross-border attack against Iraqi
    forces near Al-Qumah but were repelled.
        The Special Rapporteur of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights
    (UNHRC), Max van der Stoel, continues to report on the human rights
    situation in Iraq, including the Iraqi military's repression against
    civilian populations and the widespread phenomena of political killings,
    mass executions, and state-sponsored terrorism. He has reported the
    recent use by Iraq of new forms of punishment, such as the amputation of
    ears and hands and the branding of foreheads. The U.N. General Assembly
    condemned these mutilations in a December 1994 resolution. Clearly, the
    Government of Iraq has not complied with the provisions of UNSC
    Resolution 688 requiring it to cease repression of its own people.
        The Special Rapporteur has asserted that the Government of Iraq has
    engaged in war crimes and crimes against humanity and may have committed
    violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention. The Special Rapporteur
    continues to call on the Government of Iraq to permit the stationing of
    human rights monitors inside Iraq to improve the flow of information and
    to provide independent verification of reports of human rights abuses.
    We continue to support Mr. van der Stoel's work and his call for
    monitors.
        Baghdad's attempts to violate the U.N. sanctions continue unabated.
    Since the last report, 12 maritime vessels have been intercepted and
    diverted to Gulf ports for attempting to smuggle commodities from Iraq
    in violation of sanctions. Gulf States have cooperated with the
    Multinational Interdiction Force in accepting diverted ships and in
    taking action against cargoes in accordance with relevant U.N. Security
    Council resolutions, including Resolutions 665 and 778.
        For more than 3 years, the story has not changed; the Baghdad regime
    flouts the sanctions, demonstrates disdain for the United Nations and,
    in our view, engages in actions that constitute continuing violations of
    Security Council Resolutions 686, 687, and 688.
        We are monitoring closely the plight of the civilian population
    throughout Iraq. Our bilateral assistance program in the north will
    continue, to the extent possible. We also will continue to make every
    effort, given the practical constraints, to assist the populations in
    southern and central Iraq through support for the continuation of U.N.
    humanitarian programs. Finally, we will continue to explore with our
    allies and Security Council partners means to compel Iraq to cooperate
    on humanitarian and human rights issues.
        Security Council Resolution 687 affirmed that Iraq is liable under
    international law for compensating the victims of its unlawful invasion
    and occupation of Kuwait. The U.N. Compensation Commission (UNCC), has
    received 2.5 million claims worldwide, with an asserted value of $160
    billion. The United States has submitted 3,200 claims, with an asserted
    value of $1.7 billion.
        To date, the UNCC Governing Council has approved 59,000 individual
    awards, worth about $240 million. About 500 awards totaling $11.4
    million have been issued to U.S. claimants.
        The UNCC has been able to pay only the first small awards for
    serious personal injury or death ($2.7 million). Unfortunately, the
    remainder of the awards cannot be paid at this time, because the U.N.
    Compensation Fund lacks sufficient funding. The awards are supposed to
    be financed by a deduction from the proceeds of future Iraqi oil sales,
    once such sales are permitted to resume. However, Iraq's refusal to

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    meet the Security Council's terms for a resumption of oil sales has left
    the UNCC without adequate financial resources to pay the awards. Iraq's
    intransigence means that the victims of its aggression remain
    uncompensated for their losses 4 years after the end of the Persian Gulf
    War.
        In sum, Iraq is still a threat to regional peace and security. Thus,
    I am determined to maintain sanctions until Iraq has fully complied with
    all its obligations under the UNSC resolutions and will oppose any
    discussions of the relaxation of sanctions until Iraq has demonstrated
    its overall compliance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.
    Ambassador Albright is traveling to Security Council capitals to convey
    my determination on this vital matter.
        As I have made clear before, Iraq may rejoin the community of
    civilized nations by adopting democratic processes, respecting human
    rights, treating its people equally, and adhering to basic norms of
    international behavior. The Iraqi National Congress espouses these
    goals, the fulfillment of which would make Iraq a stabilizing force in
    the Gulf region.
        I appreciate the support of the Congress for our efforts, and will
    continue to keep the Congress informed about this important issue.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives, and Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of the
    Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    March 9.