• by IPS Correspondents (united nations)
• Monday, November 14, 1994
• Inter Press Service

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 14 (IPS) - The U.N. Security Council Monday renewed the four-year embargo against Iraq for another 60 days, dimming hopes that Baghdad's recognition of Kuwait last week would yield any sudden reward.

"We met, reviewed the sanctions regime and decided to continue it without change," Council President Madeleine Albright of the United States said after the body's latest review.

British Ambassador David Hannay said that, although "there is a very broad welcome in the Council" for Iraq's formal recognition of its borders with Kuwait, the consensus in that body remains to keep the sanctions regime in place.

For Baghdad, the lack of progress on sanctions was daunting but expected. The United States and Britain -- two of the Council's five veto-wielding permanent members -- have argued that the Council cannot trust Iraq's "peaceful intentions," particularly as long as Saddam Hussein remains President.

But Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, who Monday morning delivered Albright with documents demonstrating Iraq's formal acceptance of the sovereignty and borders of neighbouring Kuwait, had hoped for some more positive actions to reward Baghdad.

He met Albright for only two minutes before he e8ited the Council, arguing against the "political positions of a small number of Council members" that is keeping the embargo against Iraq in place.

Aziz said the Council is legally bound to lift the sanctions regime since Baghdad has complied with U.N. rulings to scrap its weapons of mass destruction and to recognise Kuwait, which it invaded in 1990 to be repulsed a year later by U.S.-led troops.

For all that, though, Iraq has achieved little recognition of its progress by the Council, much less any tangible reward.

Arguing that only a firm stance against Iraq has resulted in the recognition of Kuwait, Albright said the body must continue to "present a united front and make clear that partial steps will not suffice."

Several nations in the Council -- including the other three permanent members: China, France and Russia -- differ with Britain and the United States, arguing that the time has come to indicate when sanctions may finally end.

© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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