    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [March 5, 1996]
    [Pages 380-381]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 380]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Iraq's Compliance With
    United Nations Security Council Resolutions
    March 5, 1996

    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 letter to you on January 4, 1996, on Iraq, the
    Government of Iraq has come no closer to meeting its obligations under
    applicable Security Council resolutions. The U.N. Special Commission on
    Iraq (UNSCOM), responsible for dismantling Iraq's weapons of mass
    destruction programs, continues to find evidence that Iraq is hiding
    information on its past weapons programs. UNSCOM also found evidence as
    recently as a few months ago that Iraq continues to pursue acquisition
    of prohibited weapons technology. Iraq has made no progress either in
    accounting for nationals of Kuwait and third countries missing since the
    occupation or in returning stolen Kuwaiti property. Saddam Hussein
    continues to provide safe haven for known terrorists. Given all this,
    the Security Council maintained sanctions without change at the January
    5, 1996, review.
        Saddam Hussein's unwillingness to comply with the norms of
    international behavior extends to his regime's continuing threat to
    Iraqi citizens throughout the country. We and our coalition partners
    continue to enforce the no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq as
    part of our efforts to deter Iraq's use of aircraft against its
    population. The human rights situation throughout Iraq remains
    unchanged. Saddam Hussein shows no signs of complying with U.N. Security
    Council Resolution 688, which demands that Iraq cease the repression of
    its own people. Iraq's repression of its southern Shi'a population
    continues, with policies aimed at destroying the Marsh Arabs' way of
    life and important environmental resources.
        We continue to provide humanitarian assistance, along with
    international and humanitarian relief organizations, to the people of
    northern Iraq. Deteriorating security conditions forced us to issue
    notice in late January for all Americans in the area to exercise maximum
    caution in their activities. We have facilitated talks between the two
    major Kurdish groups in an effort to help them resolve their differences
    and increase stability in northern Iraq. However, Iran continues to look
    for opportunities to expand its influence in the area, as demonstrated
    by the visit of an Iranian Foreign Ministry official to the area in
    early January.
        Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 986, Iraq is authorized to
    sell a prescribed amount of oil for the purchase of humanitarian
    supplies. In early February, the Government of Iraq sent a delegation to
    the United Nations to discuss the details of implementation of this
    Resolution. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether Saddam Hussein is
    serious about using this mechanism to relieve the humanitarian suffering
    in Iraq. It is not clear whether Iraq will accept Resolution 986 as
    written, but the United States and other members of the Security Council
    have emphasized that the Security Council will not agree to amending the
    terms of the Resolution.
        The Multinational Interception Force (MIF) conducting the maritime
    enforcement of sanctions against Iraq has, since my last report,
    encountered the busiest enforcement period since 1991, diverting 24 dhow
    vessels carrying Iraqi dates worth an estimated $3.5 million. Since
    October 1994, the MIF has diverted 50 sanctions violating vessels to
    Gulf ports with oil and date cargoes exceeding an estimated value of $18
    million. The expeditious acceptance of these violating vessels by the
    United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait has greatly contributed to the
    deterrent effect of MIF sanctions enforcement operations. It has also
    enhanced enforcement efforts by allowing MIF vessels escorting the
    diverted vessels to return to patrol operations.
        We continue to achieve a significant foreign policy objective in
    maintaining multinational participation in the MIF. Ships from the
    United States, Belgium, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom participated
    in MIF operations during the past 2 months. Additionally, we have
    received firm commitments from The Netherlands and Australia to send
    frigates to participate in the MIF from March through July of this year.

    [[Page 381]]

        The United States continues to work with Honduras, the United Arab
    Emirates, and India concerning sanctions violations committed by vessels
    under their flags. Honduras has designated its mission to the United
    Nations to conduct deflagging proceedings for vessels of Honduran
    registry. India has initiated ``registry deletion'' proceedings against
    vessels operating under its flag.
        The Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, who serves as the coordinator
    for the MIF, recently completed a series of briefings for the U.N. Iraq
    Sanctions Committee. The briefings continued our practice of close
    coordination and consultation with the Sanctions Committee and members
    of the Security Council on the issue of maritime Iraq sanctions
    enforcement. In addition to enforcement of sanctions, the U.S. force
    presence in the region is intended to maintain the capability to respond
    rapidly to possible Iraqi aggression or threats against its neighbors.
        Security Council Resolution 687 affirmed that Iraq is liable under
    international law for compensating the victims of its unlawful invasion
    and occupation of Kuwait. Although the U.N. Compensation Commission
    (UNCC) has approved some 790,000 individual awards against Iraq, worth
    about $3.0 billion, it has been able to authorize the payment of only
    the fixed awards for serious personal injury or death (aggregating
    approximately $13.5 million). The remainder of the awards cannot be paid
    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 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 the victims of its aggression
    remain uncompensated for their losses 5 years after the end of the Gulf
    War.
        To conclude, Iraq remains a serious threat to regional peace and
    stability. I remain determined that Iraq comply fully with all its
    obligations under the U.N. Security Council Resolutions. My
    Administration will continue to oppose any relaxation of sanctions until
    Iraq demonstrates peaceful intentions through its overall compliance
    with all of the U.N. Security Council Resolutions.
        I appreciate the support of the Congress for our efforts, and shall
    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 Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. This
    letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on March 7.