[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 1 (Monday, January 8, 1996)]
[Pages 11-13]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Iraq

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 ex- 

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tends 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 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

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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.