The United States, which aims above all to contain Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, is against lifting sanctions. But Russia, France and China contend Iraq is more likely to cooperate if a clear message is given about when the embargo might be lifted. Many diplomats and officials at the United Nations say there is no chance for a change in the status quo until the election of a new US president in November. According to Resolution 687, adopted in April 1991 in the wake of the allied victory over Iraq, sanctions will remain in place until the United Nations certifies that Iraq does not possess weapons of mass destruction. We did a lot, but obviously there's still much to be done.
Nobody believes that Iraq is clean.
According to Hans von Sponeck, the former UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, the embargo cannot work against a dictatorship like Saddam Hussein's. Diplomats have suggested replacing the current embargo with sanctions that target the country's leaders and a long-term monitoring system to ensure that Baghdad does not rearm. If you appreciate the information we provide, please support our work. Make a donation or become a member of Global Policy Forum.