Administration Makes Case Against Iraq
Sept. 12, 2002 -- For weeks, the Bush administration has promised to make the case for waging war against Iraq and removing its president, Saddam Hussein, from power. The campaign reached a new peak today with President Bush's appearance before the United Nations.
Ahead of the president's speech, the White House released this document. It was assembled by the National Security Council, and served as the basis and background for the president's speech. The text of the document follows:
A Decade of Deception and Defiance serves as a background paper for PresidentGeorge Bush's Sept. 12 speech to the United Nations General Assembly.This document provides specific examples of how Iraqi President Saddam Husseinhas systematically and continually violated 16 United Nations Security Councilresolutions over the past decade. This document is not designed to catalogall of the violations of U.N. resolutions or other abuses of Saddam Hussein'sregime over the years.
For more than a decade, Saddam Hussein has deceived and defied the will andresolutions of the United Nations Security Council by, among other things:continuing to seek and develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, andprohibited long-range missiles; brutalizing the Iraqi people, includingcommitting gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity; supportinginternational terrorism; refusing to release or account for prisoners of war andother missing individuals from the Gulf War era; refusing to return stolenKuwaiti property; and working to circumvent the United Nation's economic sanctions.
The administration will periodically provide information on these and otheraspects of the threat posed to the international community by Saddam Hussein.
Table of Contents
Saddam Hussein's Defiance of United Nations Resolutions
Saddam Hussein's Development of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Saddam Hussein's Repression of the Iraqi People
Saddam Hussein's Support for International Terrorism
Saddam Hussein's Refusal to Account for Gulf War Prisoners
Saddam Hussein's Refusal to Return Stolen Property
Saddam Hussein's Efforts to Circumvent Economic Sanctions
Saddam Hussein's Defiance of United Nations Resolutions
Saddam Hussein has repeatedly violated 16 United Nations Security CouncilResolutions (UNSCRs) designed to ensure that Iraq does not pose a threat tointernational peace and security. In addition to these repeated violations, hehas tried, over the past decade, to circumvent U.N. economic sanctions againstIraq, which are reflected in a number of other resolutions. As noted in theresolutions, Saddam Hussein was required to fulfill many obligations beyond thewithdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Specifically, Saddam Hussein wasrequired to, among other things: allow international weapons inspectors tooversee the destruction of his weapons of mass destruction; not develop newweapons of mass destruction; destroy all of his ballistic missiles with a rangegreater than 150 kilometers; stop support for terrorism and prevent terroristorganizations from operating within Iraq; help account for missing Kuwaitis andother individuals; return stolen Kuwaiti property and bear financial liabilityfor damage from the Gulf War; and he was required to end his repression of theIraqi people. Saddam Hussein has repeatedly violated each of the followingresolutions:
UNSCR 678 — November 29, 1990
Iraq must comply fully with UNSCR 660 (regarding Iraq's illegal invasion ofKuwait) "and all subsequent relevant resolutions."
Authorizes U.N. Member States "to use all necessary means to uphold andimplement resolution 660 and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restoreinternational peace and security in the area."
UNSCR 686 — March 2, 1991
Iraq must release prisoners detained during the Gulf War.
Iraq must return Kuwaiti property seized during the Gulf War.
Iraq must accept liability under international law for damages from itsillegal invasion of Kuwait.
UNSCR 687 — April 3, 1991
Iraq must "unconditionally accept" the destruction, removal or renderingharmless "under international supervision" of all "chemical and biologicalweapons and all stocks of agents and all related subsystems and components andall research, development, support and manufacturing facilities."
Iraq must "unconditionally agree not to acquire or develop nuclear weaponsor nuclear-weapons-usable material" or any research, development ormanufacturing facilities.
Iraq must "unconditionally accept" the destruction, removal or renderingharmless "under international supervision" of all "ballistic missiles with arange greater than 150 KM and related major parts and repair and productionfacilities."
Iraq must not "use, develop, construct or acquire" any weapons of massdestruction.
Iraq must reaffirm its obligations under the Nuclear Non-ProliferationTreaty.
Creates the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) to verify theelimination of Iraq's chemical and biological weapons programs and mandated thatthe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verify elimination of Iraq'snuclear weapons program.
Iraq must declare fully its weapons of mass destruction programs.
Iraq must not commit or support terrorism, or allow terrorist organizationsto operate in Iraq.
Iraq must cooperate in accounting for the missing and dead Kuwaitis andothers.
Iraq must return Kuwaiti property seized during the Gulf War.
UNSCR 688 — April 5, 1991
"Condemns" repression of Iraqi civilian population, "the consequences ofwhich threaten international peace and security."
Iraq must immediately end repression of its civilian population.
Iraq must allow immediate access to international humanitarianorganizations to those in need of assistance.
UNSCR 707 — August 15, 1991
"Condemns" Iraq's "serious violation" of UNSCR 687.
"Further condemns" Iraq's noncompliance with IAEA and its obligations underthe Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iraq must halt nuclear activities of all kinds until the Security Councildeems Iraq in full compliance.
Iraq must make a full, final and complete disclosure of all aspects of itsweapons of mass destruction and missile programs.
Iraq must allow U.N. and IAEA inspectors immediate, unconditional andunrestricted access.
Iraq must cease attempts to conceal or move weapons of mass destruction,and related materials and facilities.
Iraq must allow U.N. and IAEA inspectors to conduct inspection flightsthroughout Iraq.
Iraq must provide transportation, medical and logistical support for U.N. andIAEA inspectors.
UNSCR 715 — October 11, 1991
Iraq must cooperate fully with U.N. and IAEA inspectors.
UNSCR 949 — October 15, 1994
"Condemns" Iraq's recent military deployments toward Kuwait.
Iraq must not utilize its military or other forces in a hostile manner tothreaten its neighbors or U.N. operations in Iraq.
Iraq must cooperate fully with U.N. weapons inspectors.
Iraq must not enhance its military capability in southern Iraq.
UNSCR 1051 — March 27, 1996
Iraq must report shipments of dual-use items related to weapons of massdestruction to the U.N. and IAEA.
Iraq must cooperate fully with U.N. and IAEA inspectors and allow immediate,unconditional and unrestricted access.
UNSCR 1060 — June 12, 1996
"Deplores" Iraq's refusal to allow access to U.N. inspectors and Iraq's"clear violations" of previous U.N. resolutions.
Iraq must cooperate fully with U.N. weapons inspectors and allow immediate,unconditional and unrestricted access.
UNSCR 1115 — June 21, 1997
"Condemns repeated refusal of Iraqi authorities to allow access" to U.N.inspectors, which constitutes a "clear and flagrant violation" of UNSCR 687,707, 715, and 1060.
Iraq must cooperate fully with U.N. weapons inspectors and allow immediate,unconditional and unrestricted access.
Iraq must give immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to Iraqiofficials whom U.N. inspectors want to interview.
UNSCR 1134 — October 23, 1997
"Condemns repeated refusal of Iraqi authorities to allow access" to U.N.inspectors, which constitutes a "flagrant violation" of UNSCR 687, 707, 715, and1060.
Iraq must cooperate fully with U.N. weapons inspectors and allow immediate,unconditional and unrestricted access.
Iraq must give immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to Iraqiofficials whom U.N. inspectors want to interview.
UNSCR 1137 — November 12, 1997
"Condemns the continued violations by Iraq" of previous NUN resolutions,including its "implicit threat to the safety of" aircraft operated by U.N.inspectors and its tampering with NUN inspector monitoring equipment.
Reaffirms Iraq's responsibility to ensure the safety of NUN inspectors.
Iraq must cooperate fully with NUN weapons inspectors and allow immediate,unconditional and unrestricted access.
UNSCR 1154 — March 2, 1998
Iraq must cooperate fully with NUN and IAEA weapons inspectors and allowimmediate, unconditional and unrestricted access, and notes that any violationwould have the "severest consequences for Iraq."
UNSCR 1194 — September 9, 1998
"Condemns the decision by Iraq of 5 August 1998 to suspend cooperationwith" NUN and IAEA inspectors, which constitutes "a totally unacceptablecontravention" of its obligations under UNSCR 687, 707, 715, 1060, 1115, and1154.
Iraq must cooperate fully with NUN and IAEA weapons inspectors, and allowimmediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.
UNSCR 1205 — November 5, 1998
"Condemns the decision by Iraq of 31 October 1998 to cease cooperation"with NUN inspectors as "a flagrant violation" of UNSCR 687 and other resolutions.
Iraq must provide "immediate, complete and unconditional cooperation" withNUN and IAEA inspectors.
UNSCR 1284 — December 17, 1999
Created the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and InspectionsCommission (UNMOVIC) to replace previous weapon inspection team (UNSCOM).
Iraq must allow UNMOVIC "immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access"to Iraqi officials and facilities.
Iraq must fulfill its commitment to return Gulf War prisoners.
Calls on Iraq to distribute humanitarian goods and medical supplies to itspeople and address the needs of vulnerable Iraqis without discrimination.
Additional U.N. Security Council Statements
In addition to the legally binding UNSCRs, the NUN Security Council has alsoissued at least 30 statements from the President of the NUN Security Councilregarding Saddam Hussein's continued violations of UNSCRs. The list ofstatements includes:
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, June 28, 1991
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, February 5, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, February 19, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, February 28, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, March 6, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, March 11, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, March 12, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, April 10, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, June 17, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, July 6, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, September 2, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, November 23, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, November 24, 1992
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, January 8, 1993
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, January 11, 1993
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, June 18, 1993
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, June 28, 1993
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, November 23, 1993
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, October 8, 1994
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, March 19, 1996
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, June 14, 1996
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, August 23, 1996
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, December 30, 1996
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, June 13, 1997
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, October 29, 1997
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, November 13, 1997
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, December 3, 1997
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, December 22, 1997
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, January 14, 1998
U.N. Security Council Presidential Statement, May 14, 1998
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Saddam Hussein's Development of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Saddam Hussein has continued to defy U.N. weapons inspectors for more than adecade, and he continues his efforts to develop or acquire weapons of massdestruction — including biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, and prohibitedlong-range missiles — and other means to deliver them.
Biological Weapons
In 2001, an Iraqi defector, Adnan Ihsan Saeed al-Haideri, said he hadvisited twenty secret facilities for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.Mr. Saeed, a civil engineer, supported his claims with stacks of Iraqigovernment contracts, complete with technical specifications. Mr. Saeed saidIraq used companies to purchase equipment with the blessing of the UnitedNations — and then secretly used the equipment for their weapons programs.
"Secret Sites: Iraqi tells of Renovations at Sites for Chemical and NuclearArms," The New York Times, December 20, 2001
Iraq admitted to producing biological agents, and after the 1995 defectionof a senior Iraqi official, Iraq admitted to the weaponization of thousands ofliters of anthrax, botulinim toxin, and aflatoxin for use with Scud warheads,aerial bombs and aircraft. UNSCOM Report, January 25, 1999
United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) experts concluded that Iraq'sdeclarations on biological agents vastly understated the extent of its program,and that Iraq actually produced two to four times the amount of most agents,including anthrax and botulinim toxin, than it had declared. Ibid.
UNSCOM reported to the U.N. Security Council in April 1995 that Iraq hadconcealed its biological weapons program and had failed to account for 3 tons ofgrowth material for biological agents. Ibid.
The Department of Defense reported in January 2001 that Iraq has continuedto work on its weapons programs, including converting L-29 jet trainer aircraftfor potential vehicles for the delivery of chemical or biological weapons.Proliferation: Threat and Response; Department of Defense; January 2001
The al-Dawrah Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Facility is one of two knownbiocontainment level-three facilities in Iraq that have an extensive airhandling and filtering system. Iraq has admitted that this was a biologicalweapons facility. In 2001, Iraq announced that it would begin renovating theplant without U.N. approval, ostensibly to produce vaccines that it could moreeasily and more quickly import through the U.N..
Saddam Hussein continues its attempts to procure mobile biological weaponslaboratories that could be used for further research and development.
Chemical Weapons
Saddam Hussein launched a large-scale chemical weapons attack against Iraq'sKurdish population in the late 1980s, killing thousands. On at least 10occasions, Saddam Hussein's military forces have attacked Iranian and Kurdishtargets with combinations of mustard gas and nerve agents through the use ofaerial bombs, 122-millimeter rockets, and conventional artillery shells. SaddamHussein continues his efforts to develop chemical weapons:
Gaps identified by UNSCOM in Iraqi accounting and current productioncapabilities strongly suggest that Iraq maintains stockpiles of chemical agents,probably VX, sarin, cyclosarin and mustard.
Iraq has not accounted for hundreds of tons of chemical precursors and tensof thousands of unfilled munitions, including Scud variant missile warheads.UNSCOM Report, January 25, 1999
Iraq has not accounted for at least 15,000 artillery rockets that in thepast were its preferred vehicle for delivering nerve agents, nor has itaccounted for about 550 artillery shells filled with mustard agent. Ibid.
Iraq continues to rebuild and expand dual-use infrastructure that it couldquickly divert to chemical weapons production, such as chlorine and phenolplants.
Iraq is seeking to purchase chemical weapons agent precursors andapplicable production equipment, and is making an effort to hide activities atthe Fallujah plant, which was one of Iraq's chemical weapons productionfacilities before the Gulf War.
At Fallujah and three other plants, Iraq now has chlorine productioncapacity far higher than any civilian need for water treatment, and the evidenceindicates that some of its chlorine imports are being diverted for militarypurposes.
Nuclear Weapons
Saddam Hussein had an advanced nuclear weapons development program before theGulf War and continues his work to develop a nuclear weapon:
A new report released on September 9, 2002 from the International Institutefor Strategic Studies — an independent research organization — concludes thatSaddam Hussein could build a nuclear bomb within months if he were able toobtain fissile material. Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Net Assessment;September 9, 2002; The International Institute for Strategic Studies
Iraq has stepped up its quest for nuclear weapons and has embarked on aworldwide hunt for materials to make an atomic bomb. In the last 14 months,Iraq has sought to buy thousands of specially designed aluminum tubes whichofficials believe were intended as components of centrifuges to enrich uranium.
Iraq has withheld documentation relevant to its past nuclear program,including data about enrichment techniques, foreign procurement, weapons design,experimental data, and technical documents.
Iraq still has the technical expertise and some of the infrastructureneeded to pursue its goal of building a nuclear weapon.
Saddam Hussein has repeatedly met with his nuclear scientists over the pasttwo years, signaling his continued interest in developing his nuclear program.
Ballistic Missiles
Iraq is believed to be developing ballistic missiles with a range greaterthan 150 kilometers — as prohibited by the U.N. Security Council Resolution 687.
Discrepancies identified by UNSCOM in Saddam Hussein's declarations suggestthat Iraq retains a small force of Scud-type missiles and an undetermined numberof launchers and warheads. UNSCOM Report
Iraq continues work on the al-Samoud liquid propellant short-range missile(which can fly beyond the allowed 150 kilometers). The al-Samoud and the solidpropellant Ababil-100 appeared in a military parade in Baghdad on December 31,2000, suggesting that both systems are nearing operational deployment.
The al-Rafah-North facility is Iraq's principal site for testing liquidpropellant missile engines. Iraq has been building a new, larger test standthere that is clearly intended for testing prohibited longer-range missileengines.
At their al-Mamoun facility, the Iraqis have rebuilt structures that hadbeen dismantled by UNSCOM that were originally designed to manufacture solidpropellant motors for the Badr-2000 missile program.
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Saddam Hussein's Repression of the Iraqi People
UNSCR 688 (April 5, 1991) "condemns" Saddam Hussein's repression of the Iraqicivilian population — "the consequences of which threaten international peaceand security." UNSCR 688 also requires Saddam Hussein to end his repression ofthe Iraqi people and to allow immediate access to international humanitarianorganizations to help those in need of assistance. Saddam Hussein hasrepeatedly violated these provisions and has: expanded his violence againstwomen and children; continued his horrific torture and execution of innocentIraqis; continued to violate the basic human rights of the Iraqi people and hascontinued to control all sources of information (including killing more than 500journalists and other opinion leaders in the past decade). Saddam Hussein hasalso harassed humanitarian aid workers; expanded his crimes against Muslims; hehas withheld food from families that fail to offer their children to his regime;and he has continued to subject Iraqis to unfair imprisonment. Country Reportson Human Rights Practices — Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State;www.state.gov
Refusal to Admit Human Rights Monitors
The UN Commission on Human Rights and the U.N. General Assembly issued areport that noted "with dismay" the lack of improvement in the situation ofhuman rights in Iraq. The report strongly criticized the "systematic,widespread, and extremely grave violations of human rights" and of internationalhumanitarian law by the Iraqi Government, which it stated resulted in"all-pervasive repression and oppression sustained by broad-based discriminationand widespread terror." The report called on the Iraqi Government to fulfill itsobligations under international human rights treaties.
Saddam Hussein has repeatedly refused visits by human rights monitors andthe establishment of independent human rights organizations. From 1992 until2002, Saddam prevented the U.N. Special Rapporteur from visiting Iraq. Page 2-3,Country Reports on Human Rights Practices — Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Departmentof State; www.state.gov
In September 2001 the Government expelled six U.N. humanitarian reliefworkers without providing any explanation. Ibid, Page 6
Violence Against Women
Human rights organizations and opposition groups continued to receivereports of women who suffered from severe psychological trauma after being rapedby Iraqi personnel while in custody. Ibid, Page 5
Former Mukhabarat member Khalid Al-Janabi reported that a Mukhabarat unit,the Technical Operations Directorate, used rape and sexual assault in asystematic and institutionalized manner for political purposes. The unitreportedly also videotaped the rape of female relatives of suspectedoppositionists and used the videotapes for blackmail purposes and to ensuretheir future cooperation. Ibid, Page 5
In June 2000, a former Iraqi general reportedly received a videotape ofsecurity forces raping a female family member. He subsequently received atelephone call from an intelligence agent who stated that another femalerelative was being held and warned him to stop speaking out against the IraqiGovernment. Page 7, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices — Iraq, March 4,2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov
Iraqi security forces allegedly raped women who were captured during theAnfal Campaign and during the occupation of Kuwait. Ibid, Page 5
Amnesty International reported that, in October 2000, the Iraqi Governmentexecuted dozens of women accused of prostitution. Ibid, Page 2
In May, the Iraqi Government reportedly tortured to death the mother ofthree Iraqi defectors for her children's opposition activities. Ibid, Page 3
Iraqi security agents reportedly decapitated numerous women and men infront of their family members. According to Amnesty International, the victims'heads were displayed in front of their homes for several days. Ibid, Page 3
Torture
Iraqi security services routinely and systematically torture detainees.According to former prisoners, torture techniques included branding, electricshocks administered to the genitals and other areas, beating, pulling out offingernails, burning with hot irons and blowtorches, suspension from rotatingceiling fans, dripping acid on the skin, rape, breaking of limbs, denial of foodand water, extended solitary confinement in dark and extremely smallcompartments, and threats to rape or otherwise harm family members andrelatives. Evidence of such torture often was apparent when security forcesreturned the mutilated bodies of torture victims to their families. Ibid, Page 4
According to a report received by the U.N. Special Rapporteur in 1998,hundreds of Kurds and other detainees have been held without charge for close totwo decades in extremely harsh conditions, and many of them have been used assubjects in Iraq's illegal experimental chemical and biological weaponsprograms. Ibid, Page 6
In 2000, the authorities reportedly introduced tongue amputation as apunishment for persons who criticize Saddam Hussein or his family, and on July17, government authorities reportedly amputated the tongue of a person whoallegedly criticized Saddam Hussein. Authorities reportedly performed theamputation in front of a large crowd. Similar tongue amputations also reportedlyoccurred. Ibid, Page 4-5
Refugees fleeing to Europe often reported instances of torture to receivinggovernments, and displayed scars and mutilations to substantiate their claims.Page 4, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices — Iraq, March 4, 2002; USDepartment of State; www.state.gov
In August 2001 Amnesty International released a report entitled Iraq — Systematic Torture of Political Prisoners, which detailed the systematic androutine use of torture against suspected political opponents and, occasionally,other prisoners. Amnesty International also reports "Detainees have also beenthreatened with bringing in a female relative, especially the wife or themother, and raping her in front of the detainee. Some of these threats havebeen carried out." Iraq — Systematic Torture of Political Prisoners; AmnestyInternational; web.amnesty.org
Saad Keis Naoman, an Iraqi soccer player who defected to Europe, reportedthat he and his teammates were beaten and humiliated at the order of Uday SaddamHussein for poor performances. He was flogged until his back was bloody, forcinghim to sleep on his stomach in the tiny cell in Al-Radwaniya prison. Page 4,Country Reports on Human Rights Practices — Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Departmentof State; www.state.gov
Executions and Repression of Political Opposition
Former U.N. Human Rights Special Rapporteur Max Van der Stoel's report inApril 1998 stated that Iraq had executed at least 1,500 people during theprevious year for political reasons.
The government continues to execute summarily alleged political opponentsand leaders in the Shi'a religious community. Reports suggest that persons wereexecuted merely because of their association with an opposition group or as partof a continuing effort to reduce prison populations. Ibid, Page 1
In February 2001, the Government reportedly executed 37 political detaineesfor opposition activity. Ibid, Page 2
In June 2001, security forces killed a Shi'a cleric, Hussein Baharal-Uloom, for refusing to appear on television to congratulate Qusay SaddamHussein for his election to a Ba'th Party position. Such killings continue anapparent government policy of eliminating prominent Shi'a clerics who aresuspected of disloyalty to the government. In 1998 and 1999, the Governmentkilled a number of leading Shi'a clerics, prompting the former SpecialRapporteur in 1999 to express his concern to the government that the killingsmight be part of a systematic attack by government officials on the independentleadership of the Shi'a Muslim community. The government did not respond to theSpecial Rapporteur's letter. Ibid, Page 2
There are persistent reports that families are made to pay for the cost ofexecutions. Ibid, Page 4
Saddam Hussein destroyed the southern Iraqi town of Albu 'Aysh sometimebetween September 1998 and December 1999. Iraq — Systematic Torture of PoliticalPrisoners; Amnesty International; web.amnesty.org
Iraq has conducted a systematic "Arabization" campaign of ethnic cleansingdesigned to harass and expel ethnic Kurds and Turkmen from government-controlledareas. Non-Arab citizens are forced to change their ethnicity or their identitydocuments and adopt Arab names, or they are deprived of their homes, propertyand food-ration cards, and expelled.
Saddam Hussein's Abuse of Children
Saddam Hussein has held 3-week training courses in weapons use,hand-to-hand fighting, rappelling from helicopters, and infantry tactics forchildren between 10 and 15 years of age. Camps for these "Saddam Cubs" operatedthroughout the country. Senior military officers who supervised the coursesnoted that the children held up under the "physical and psychological strain" oftraining that lasted for as long as 14 hours each day. Sources in the oppositionreport that the army found it difficult to recruit enough children to fill allof the vacancies in the program. Families reportedly were threatened with theloss of their food ration cards if they refused to enroll their children in thecourse. The Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq reported inOctober 1999 that authorities were denying food ration cards to families thatfailed to send their young sons to Saddam Cubs compulsory weapons-trainingcamps. Similarly, authorities reportedly withheld school examination results tostudents unless they registered in the Fedayeen Saddam organization. Page 1,Country Reports on Human Rights Practices — Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Departmentof State; www.state.gov
Iraq often announces food ration cuts for the general population, blamingUS or UK actions. Among the most controversial have been cuts in baby milkrations. Iraq has blamed the shortages on US and UK contract rejections,although the U.N. has approved all baby milk contracts submitted.
Child labor persists and there are instances of forced labor.
There are widespread reports that food and medicine that could have beenmade available to the general public, including children, have been stockpiledin warehouses or diverted for the personal use of some government officials.Ibid, Page 16
Disappearances
Amnesty International reported that Iraq has the world's worst record fornumbers of persons who have disappeared or remain unaccounted for. Ibid, Page 3
In 1999, the U.N. Special Rapporteur stated that Iraq remains the countrywith the highest number of disappearances known to the U.N.: over 16,000.
Basic Freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Information
In practice, Saddam Hussein does not permit freedom of speech or of thepress, and does not tolerate political dissent in areas under its control. InNovember 2000, the U.N. General Assembly criticized Saddam Hussein's "suppressionof freedom of thought, expression, information, association, and assembly." TheSpecial Rapporteur stated in October 1999 that citizens lived "in a climate offear," in which whatever they said or did, particularly in the area of politics,involved "the risk of arrest and interrogation by the police or militaryintelligence." He noted that "the mere suggestion that someone is not asupporter of the President carries the prospect of the death penalty." Page 9,Country Reports on Human Rights Practices — Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Departmentof State; www.state.gov
In June 2001, the Human Rights Alliance reported that Saddam Hussein hadkilled more than 500 journalists and other intellectuals in the past decade.Ibid, Page 9
Saddam Hussein frequently infringes on citizens' constitutional right toprivacy. Saddam routinely ignores constitutional provisions designed to protectthe confidentiality of mail, telegraphic correspondence, and telephoneconversations. Iraq periodically jams news broadcasts from outside the country,including those of opposition groups. The security services and the Ba'th Partymaintain pervasive networks of informers to deter dissident activity and instillfear in the public. Ibid, Page 7
Foreign journalists must work from offices located within the Iraqiministry building and are accompanied everywhere they go by ministry officers,who reportedly restrict their movements and make it impossible for them tointeract freely with citizens. Ibid, Page 9
The Iraqi Government, the Ba'th Party, or persons close to Saddam Husseinown all print and broadcast media, and operate them as propaganda outlets. Theygenerally do not report opposing points of view that are expressed eitherdomestically or abroad. Ibid, Page 9
In September 1999, Hashem Hasan, a journalist and Baghdad Universityprofessor, was arrested after declining an appointment as editor of one of UdayHussein's publications. The Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) sent aletter of appeal to Uday Hussein; however, Hassan's fate and whereaboutsremained unknown at year's end. Ibid, Page 10
Saddam Hussein regularly jams foreign news broadcasts. Satellite dishes,modems, and fax machines are banned, although some restrictions reportedly werelifted in 1999. Ibid, Page 10
In government-operated Internet cafes, users only are permitted to view websites provided by the Ministry of Culture and Information. Ibid, Page 10
In 1999, Uday Hussein reportedly dismissed hundreds of members of the IraqiUnion of Journalists for not praising Saddam Hussein and the Governmentsufficiently. Ibid, Page 10
Withholding of Food
Relatives who do not report deserters may lose their ration cards forpurchasing government-controlled food supplies, be evicted from theirresidences, or face the arrest of other family members. The Supreme Council forthe Islamic Revolution in Iraq reported in October and December 1999 thatauthorities denied food ration cards to families that failed to send their youngsons to the "Saddam's Cubs" compulsory weapons training camps. Page 8, CountryReports on Human Rights Practices — Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State;www.state.gov
Crimes Against Muslims
The Government consistently politicizes and interferes with religiouspilgrimages, both of Iraqi Muslims who wish to make the Hajj to Mecca and Medinaand of Iraqi and non-Iraqi Muslim pilgrims who travel to holy sites within thecountry. For example, in 1998 the U.N. Sanctions Committee offered to disbursevouchers for travel and expenses to pilgrims making the Hajj; however, theGovernment rejected this offer. In 1999 the Sanctions Committee offered todisburse funds to cover Hajj-related expenses via a neutral third party; theGovernment again rejected the offer. Following the December 1999 passage of U.N.Security Council Resolution 1284, the Sanctions Committee again sought to devisea protocol to facilitate the payment for individuals making the journey. TheSanctions Committee proposed to issue $250 in cash and $1,750 in travelerschecks to each individual pilgrim to be distributed at the U.N. office inBaghdad in the presence of both U.N. and Iraqi officials. The Government againdeclined and, consequently, no Iraqi pilgrims were able to take advantage of theavailable funds or, in 2000, of the permitted flights. The Government continuedto insist that these funds would be accepted only if they were paid in cash tothe government-controlled central bank, not to the Hajj pilgrims. Ibid, Page11-12
More than 95 percent of the population of Iraq are Muslim. The (predominantlyArab) Shi'a Muslims constitute a 60 to 65 percent majority:
The Iraqi government has for decades conducted a brutal campaign of murder,summary execution, and protracted arbitrary arrest against the religious leadersand followers of the majority Shi'a Muslim population. Despite nominal legalprotection of religious equality, the Government has repressed severely theShi'a clergy and those who follow the Shi'a faith. Ibid, Page 11
Forces from the Mukhabarat, General Security (Amn Al-Amm), the MilitaryBureau, Saddam's Commandos (Fedayeen Saddam), and the Ba'th Party have killedsenior Shi'a clerics, desecrated Shi'a mosques and holy sites, and interferedwith Shi'a religious education. Security agents reportedly are stationed at allthe major Shi'a mosques and shrines, where they search, harass, and arbitrarilyarrest worshipers. Ibid, Page 11
The following government restrictions on religious rights remained ineffect during 2001: restrictions and outright bans on communal Friday prayer byShi'a Muslims; restrictions on the loaning of books by Shi'a mosque libraries; aban on the broadcast of Shi'a programs on government-controlled radio ortelevision; a ban on the publication of Shi'a books, including prayer books andguides; a ban on funeral processions other than those organized by theGovernment; a ban on other Shi'a funeral observances such as gatherings forKoran reading; and the prohibition of certain processions and public meetingsthat commemorate Shi'a holy days. Shi'a groups report that they captureddocuments from the security services during the 1991 uprising that listedthousands of forbidden Shi'a religious writings. Page 11, Country Reports onHuman Rights Practices — Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State;www.state.gov
In June 1999, several Shi'a opposition groups reported that the Governmentinstituted a program in the predominantly Shi'a districts of Baghdad that usedfood ration cards to restrict where individuals could pray. The ration cards,part of the U.N. oil-for-food program, reportedly are checked when the bearerenters a mosque and are printed with a notice of severe penalties for those whoattempt to pray at an unauthorized location. Ibid, Page 11
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Saddam Hussein's Support for International Terrorism
Iraq is one of seven countries that have been designated by the Secretary ofState as state sponsors of international terrorism. UNSCR 687 prohibits SaddamHussein from committing or supporting terrorism, or allowing terroristorganizations to operate in Iraq. Saddam continues to violate these UNSCRprovisions. Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001: Overview of State-SponsoredTerrorism; US Department of State; May 21, 2002.
In 1993, the Iraqi Intelligence Service (IIS) directed and pursued anattempt to assassinate, through the use of a powerful car bomb, former U.S.President George Bush and the Emir of Kuwait. Kuwaiti authorities thwarted theterrorist plot and arrested 16 suspects, led by two Iraqi nationals.
Iraq shelters terrorist groups including the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization(MKO), which has used terrorist violence against Iran and in the 1970s wasresponsible for killing several U.S. military personnel and U.S. civilians.Ibid.
Iraq shelters several prominent Palestinian terrorist organizations inBaghdad, including the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF), which is known foraerial attacks against Israel and is headed by Abu Abbas, who carried out the1985 hijacking of the cruise ship Achille Lauro and murdered U.S. citizen LeonKlinghoffer. Ibid.
Iraq shelters the Abu Nidal Organization, an international terroristorganization that has carried out terrorist attacks in twenty countries, killingor injuring almost 900 people. Targets have included the United States andseveral other Western nations. Each of these groups have offices in Baghdad andreceive training, logistical assistance, and financial aid from the governmentof Iraq. Ibid.
In April 2002, Saddam Hussein increased from $10,000 to $25,000 the moneyoffered to families of Palestinian suicide/homicide bombers. The rules forrewarding suicide/homicide bombers are strict and insist that only someone whoblows himself up with a belt of explosives gets the full payment. Payments aremade on a strict scale, with different amounts for wounds, disablement, death asa "martyr" and $25,000 for a suicide bomber. Mahmoud Besharat, a representativeon the West Bank who is handing out to families the money from Saddam, said,"You would have to ask President Saddam why he is being so generous. But he is arevolutionary and he wants this distinguished struggle, the intifada, tocontinue." "Jenin Families Pocket Iraqi Cash"; The Washington Times: LondonDaily Telegraph; May 31, 2002.
Former Iraqi military officers have described a highly secret terroristtraining facility in Iraq known as Salman Pak, where both Iraqis and non-IraqiArabs receive training on hijacking planes and trains, planting explosives incities, sabotage, and assassinations.
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Saddam Hussein's Refusal to Account for Gulf War Prisoners
UNSCRs 686, 687 and others require Saddam Hussein to release immediately anyGulf War prisoners and to cooperate in accounting for missing and dead Kuwaitisand others from the Gulf War. Saddam has continued to violate theseresolutions.
Saddam Hussein has failed to return, or account for, a large number ofKuwaiti citizens and citizens of other countries who were detained during theIraqi occupation of Kuwait and continues to refuse to cooperate with theTripartite Commission to resolve the cases.
Of 609 cases of missing Gulf War POWs/MIAs representing 14 nationalities — including one American pilot — under review by the Tripartite Commission on GulfWar Missing, only 4 have been resolved. Because of continued Iraqi obfuscationand concealment, very few cases have been resolved since the Gulf War. SaddamHussein denies having any knowledge of the others and claims that any relevantrecords were lost in the aftermath of the Gulf War.
In a December 2001 report to the U.N. Security Council, the U.N.Secretary-General criticized the Iraqi Government's refusal to cooperate withthe U.N. on the issue of the missing POWs/MIAs citizens. Iran reports that theIraqi Government still has not accounted for 5,000 Iranian POW's missing sincethe Iran-Iraq War.
"Secretary General reiterates little progress on the issue of repatriationor return of all Kuwaiti and third country nationals or their remains, as Iraqrefused to cooperate with the Tripartite Commission." Vorontsov Report; U.N.SG/2002/931 on Iraqi Non-Compliance With UNSCR 1284
In August 2001, Amnesty International reported that Saddam Hussein has theworld's worst record for numbers of persons who have disappeared and remainunaccounted for. Page 3, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices — Iraq,March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov
The Iraqi Government continued to ignore the more than 16,000 casesconveyed to it in 1994 and 1995 by the U.N., as well as requests from theGovernments of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to account for the whereabouts of thosewho had disappeared during Iraq's 1990-91 occupation of Kuwait, and from Iranregarding the whereabouts of prisoners of war that Iraq captured in the 1980-88Iran-Iraq War. Ibid, Page 3
"Security Council regrets that no progress made on return of Kuwaitinational archives, reiterate need for Iraq to immediately fulfill allrequirements under the relevant resolutions, including repatriation or return ofall Kuwaiti and third country nationals or their remains." Vorontsov Report; U.N.SG/2002/931 on Iraqi Non-Compliance With UNSCR 1284
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Saddam Hussein's Refusal to Return Stolen Property
Iraq destroyed much stolen property before it could be returned, and Kuwaitclaims that large quantities of equipment remain unaccounted for:
The U.N. and Kuwait say Iraq has not returned extensive Kuwaiti statearchives and museum pieces, as well as military equipment, including eightMirage F-1 aircraft, 245 Russian-made fighting vehicles, 90 M113 armoredpersonnel carriers, one Hawk battery, 3,750 Tow and anti-tank missiles, and 675Russian-made surface-to-air missile batteries.
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Saddam Hussein's Efforts to Circumvent Economic Sanctions and Impede theOil-for-Food Program
Saddam Hussein has illegally imported hundreds of millions of dollars ingoods in violation of economic sanctions and outside of the U.N.'s Oil-for-Foodprogram. For example, Iraq has imported fiber optic communications systems thatsupport the Iraqi military.
Iraq has diverted dual-use items obtained under the Oil for Food programfor military purposes. For example, Iraq diverted U.N. approved trucks fromhumanitarian relief purposes to military purposes, and has used constructionequipment to help rebuild WMD-affiliated facilities.
The Iraqi regime illicitly exports hundreds of thousands of barrels of oileach day in flagrant violation of UNSCRs and blatant disregard for thehumanitarian well-being of the Iraqi people. In so doing, it has deprived theIraqi people of billions of dollars in food, medicine, and other humanitarianassistance that would have been provided if the regime had exported the oilunder the U.N. Oil-for-Food program. Instead, Saddam Hussein has used thesebillions to fund his WMD programs, pay off his security apparatus, and supplyhimself and his supporters with luxury items and other goods.
In January 2002, President Bush reported to Congress that "as most recentlystated in a November 19 U.N. report, the government of Iraq is not committed tousing funds available through the Oil for Food program to improve the health andwelfare of the Iraqi people — Iraq's contracting delays, cuts in food, medicine,educational and other humanitarian sector allocations, government attempts toimpede or shut down humanitarian NGO operations in northern Iraq, and Baghdad'sdelays in the issuance of visas for U.N. personnel demonstrate that the Iraqiregime is trying to undermine the effectiveness of the program." President'sReport to Congress; January 2002; under P.L. 102-1
Saddam Hussein spends smuggled oil wealth on his lavish palaces and innercircle, rather than on the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people.
Saddam Hussein has used water pumps, piping, and other supplies that couldhave been used to repair urban sewer and water systems in order to constructmoats and canals at his palaces.