Report warns: 'Cosmetic' measures
by U.N. won't stop Saddam
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Friday, May 18, 2001
LONDON — A leading strategic institute warns that the West must
insist on tough measures to contain Iraq's missile and weapons of mass
destruction programs.
The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, in the
latest strategic review, said the West has few options in dealing with Iraqi
President Saddam Hussein. In a report issued on Wednesday, the institute
said the West must oppose what it termed cosmetic weapons control by the
United Nations.
The institute released its report as the United States — supported by
Britain — submitted its
policy of smart sanctions to the UN Security Council. The institute's
recommendations resemble closely the outline of the new policy of the Bush
administration. The Security Council is scheduled to convene on June 4 to
discuss the future of UN sanctions.
The institute said the West must insist on tough, intrusive inspections
of Baghdad's suspected weapons of mass destruction capabilities. At the same
time, the institute urged that the West lift United Nations sanctions on
Iraqi commercial imports, eliminate civil flight restrictions and refine the
use of force.
The report said the sanctions regime on dual-use and military goods as
well as a renewal of UN weapons inspections remains the only option to stop
Saddam's WMD programs. This, despite the prospect of leaks in the sanctions
regime.
"Removal looks unlikely – Saddam is as strong internally as he has ever
been," the report said. "Rehabilitation is unacceptable if it means a Saddam
free to develop weapons of mass destruction and rebuild his armed forces.
Yet containment will be increasingly less effective unless it commands
approval as well as authority. To achieve that, it is clear that the current
instruments of containment need to be recalibrated."
Other measures recommended by the institute include blocking the assets
of members of the Saddam regime, controlling the smuggling of weapons
components into Iraq, and bolstering efforts to reduce Iraqi oil smuggling.
The report also proposed that Britain and the United States suspend the
the no-fly zone over southern Iraq.
The proposed sanctions regime would continue to control Iraqi finances.
On Thursday, a UN panel distributed $760 million in funds relating to
Iraqi's invasion of Kuwait. More than $600 million went to Kuwait.
Moreover, the report said, both Western allies should warn Saddam that
they would attack his regime if he builds weapons of mass destruction or
attacks his people or neighbors. "A continued, robust sanctions regime that
keeps military components, offensive technology and WMD precursors out of
Iraq, and money out the hands of regime members, is essential," the report
said.
Friday, May 18, 2001
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