John Metzler Archive

UN formally ends ‘dark era
of Saddam Hussein’

The UN Security Council on Wednesday ended key international sanctions imposed on Iraq in a major move toward bringing closure on the Saddam Hussein era.  / (AFP/Don Emmert

A high-level Ministerial meeting of the fifteen member UN Security Council, decided to repeal the residue of remaining restrictions on Iraqi petroleum revenues, as well as sanctions related to Saddam Hussein’s quest for weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

The moves, in effect, allow the democratic Iraqi government full sovereignty from the shadow of sanctions, and turn the page on nearly two decades of UN oversight.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon set the stage stating, “The invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein’s regime two decades ago and its legacy caused widespread suffering — among the peoples of both countries and in neighboring states as well.” Importantly the Security Council has decided to end “all residual activities under the Oil for Food program.”

This complex and scandal-ridden plan processed Iraqi petroleum revenues through a UN committee, which in turn provided for humanitarian assistance for the Iraqi people. By June 2011, Iraq regains total control of its oil revenues.

Alluding to the Oil for Food Program, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told the assembled delegates, “This program was marred with a web of mismanagement and misappropriation and its termination lifts another burden on Iraq’s recovery.” Naturally since the overthrow of Saddam’s regime, and through the slow but certain evolution of democratic political institutions and still fractious governments, Iraq is returning to normal, however slowly.

But as Ban Ki-Moon said, “The country’s development needs are considerable. It remains essential to restore the basic services that make daily life bearable.” He added, “Iraq’s development vision should also encompass its mosques, churches and shrines, its archaeological artifacts, its magnificent history, and its contemporary environment.”

One should also stress needed and overdue protection for the embattled Christian minority who has suffered intimidation and attacks on Churches and seen the killing of priests and parishioners.

Indeed massive international development assistance especially from the United States has helped the country slowly rebuild. Equally Japan has played strong role; $5 billion in aid as well as debt relief of $6.7 billion. Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Hisashi Tokunaga, informed the Council that, “Japan intends to continue its assistance for economic and social development in Iraq.”

So nearly twenty years after the conflict with Kuwait began, there’s a form of closure. How many U.S. Presidents have been haunted by the specter of Saddam, even after the dictator’s death? George H. W Bush, Bill Clinton (2 terms), George W. Bush (2 terms), and Barack Obama. And since the Anglo/American overthrow of Saddam in 2003, how many American troops have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed (4,430) in combat, or the many thousands more wounded?

While the military surge ordered by President George W. Bush in 2007 proved decisive in turning the tide from a seemingly unstoppable insurgency, Iraq still faces entrenched Al Qaida terrorists and militant Islamic militias. Though formal combat operations have ended, 50,000 American troops remain in country.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden who chaired the Security Council meeting made an important policy statement, “The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and emphasizes the importance of stability and security of Iraq for its people, the region and the international community.” His comments reflect the fragile ethnic and political fault-lines inside Iraq. Separatism lurks in the Kurdish regions. The quest for a stable and ethnically representative government remains elusive. Terrorism poses a threat despite much- diminished levels.

Interestingly, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told the Council’s delegates, “After two major wars and years of instability, Iraq has come a long way in rejoining the family of nations as a fully sovereign and responsible partner. The achievements to date have been both impressive and encouraging.” By formally ending the vestiges of remaining de jure sanctions, the international community has turned the page on Iraq. It’s now the responsibility of a sovereign Baghdad government to write a new saga without the Security Council looking over its shoulder. As Vice President Biden reaffirmed, the “dark era of Saddam Hussein is now over.”