    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [January 4, 1996]
    [Pages 7-8]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 7]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Iraq's Compliance With
    United Nations Security Council Resolutions
    January 4, 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.
        On December 17, 1995, the Executive Chairman of the U.N. Special
    Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM), responsible for dismantling Iraq's weapons
    of mass destruction (WMD) programs, released his latest report to the
    Security Council. The report makes clear that Iraq remains far from
    compliance with its WMD obligations. The regime's promises of new
    openness and honesty in its relationship with UNSCOM have proven
    worthless. Not only is Iraq continuing to hide information on its past
    weapons programs, UNSCOM has discovered that it has continued work on
    prohibited missile programs up to the present day. This was evidenced by
    the recent interception by the Jordanian government of a shipment of
    missile components destined for Iraq. In addition, the Iraqi government
    only recently turned over other prohibited missile parts.
        Further, Iraq continues to drag its feet on its obligations to
    account for hundreds of Kuwaitis and third country nationals missing
    since the invasion. Iraq has not returned the millions of dollars worth
    of Kuwaiti property looted during the occupation. The Iraqi Republican
    Guards still use a large quantity of stolen Kuwaiti military equipment.
    Iraq continues to provide safe haven for terrorist groups. Given this
    Iraqi track record of disrespect for its international obligations, the
    Security Council maintained the sanctions regime without change at the
    November 8, 1995, review. The U.N. Security Council has authorized Iraq,
    pursuant to Resolution 986, to export a limited quantity of oil in order
    to purchase humanitarian goods. However, the Government of Iraq
    continues to reject this Resolution.
        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 allies 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. 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. Along with international and local relief
    organizations, we continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the
    people of northern Iraq. 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.
        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. The international community and human rights observers joined us
    in dismissing Saddam's October 15, 1995, referendum to extend his rule
    as a farce.
        In October 1994 the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 949,
    which demanded that Iraq not utilize its forces to threaten its
    neighbors or U.N. operations and that it not redeploy or enhance its
    military capacity in southern Iraq. The defections last August of Saddam
    Hussein's family members increased the uncertainty of the Iraqi
    situation. In view of Saddam Hussein's proven record of unreliability,
    we felt it prudent to improve the deterrence and warfighting capability
    of U.S. forces within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
    Among the steps taken to accomplish this end were the movement of
    prepositioning ships into the Gulf and the deployment of an air
    expeditionary force to Bahrain.
        The Multinational Interception Force (MIF) conducting the maritime
    enforcement of sanctions against Iraq continues to serve magnificently.
    Since my last report, the MIF has encountered the busiest sanctions
    enforcement period since 1991, diverting 20 dhow vessels carrying Iraqi
    dates worth an estimated $3.45 million. The expeditious acceptance of
    these vessels by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait has
    greatly contributed to the deterrent effect of MIF sanctions enforcement
    operations and

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    has also freed enforcement vessels escorting the diverted vessels to
    return to patrol operations.
        We continue to achieve a significant foreign policy objective in
    ensuring multinational participation in the MIF. Ships from Belgium, New
    Zealand, Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom have served with the MIF
    since September, effectively refuting Iraqi assertions that the MIF is a
    ``U.S.-only operation.''
        Other countries have made different but important contributions
    toward enforcing the U.N. sanctions against Iraq. Since MIF operations
    began, Panama and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have deflagged four
    vessels, and Honduras has enacted stricter sanctions enforcement
    measures and has continued to pursue deflagging proceedings against
    several vessels involved in sanctions violations.
        The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia have assumed
    responsibility for disposition of the approximately 30,000 metric tons
    of Iraqi gas and oil cargo seized by the MIF and valued at about $6
    million. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have sold a portion of this
    cargo and are expected to turn over the proceeds to the United Nations.
    Saudi Arabia is preparing to sell a portion of the seized oil as well.
    The Iraqi dates seized by the MIF are subject to disposal in order to
    deny any benefit to Iraq.
        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 that the victims of its
    aggression remain uncompensated for their losses over 4 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 the relevant 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 Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of the
    Senate.