[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 10 (Monday, March 11, 1996)]
[Pages 430-431]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Iraq

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

[[Page 431]]

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.
    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.