Britain struggles over Iraq `smart sanctions' plan.
Daily Telegraph, 5/24/2001 P21
By Anton La Guardia.
Diplomatic Editor
A BRITISH initiative to introduce "smart sanctions" against Iraq has run into trouble after Russia and China immediately raised objections and Iraq threatened to cut off oil supplies to its neighbours.
"We will not accept this idea of smart sanctions," said one Russian
diplomat. "This is not about easing the sanctions but about
strengthening them. We believe the sanctions should be lifted." The British
proposal, presented at the United Nations on Tuesday night, aims to end many of
the sanctions on civilian supplies to Iraq while maintaining the UN's control of
Iraq's finances and restricting the smuggling of goods into the country.
The new policy is an attempt to fend off criticism that the decade-old embargo has caused a humanitarian tragedy in Iraq. But it depends on the support of Russia and China - both permanent members of the UN Security Council with veto powers - and the co-operation of Iraq's neighbours, which have profited handsomely from the smuggling trade. A key element would be for neighbours to tighten their borders with Iraq, with what British officials describe as "assistance" from the UN.
Britain, supported by America, had hoped to have the resolution passed before the June 4 deadline for the Security Council to approve the next phase of Iraq's oil-for-food programme. But Brian Wilson, the Foreign Office minister, conceded that the vote could be delayed and the proposal would need "refining".He said: "It is more a case of getting it right rather than working towards a particular deadline."
Russia said the proposals did not go far enough and tabled a rival resolution
calling for an extension of the current oil-for-food
programme and future discussions on how it should be changed. China does not
accept the proposals.
Turkey, Iran, Jordan and Syria all draw profits by buying Iraqi oil at heavily discounted prices or from cross-border smuggling.
Western diplomats said the UN could set up a mechanism to protect their economies - for example by paying them compensation from Iraq's escrow account if Baghdad retaliates by cutting off oil supplies. Iraq renewed its threat to stop oil exports under the UN's oil-for- food programme if the "smart sanctions" are approved, a move that could send world crude prices soaring once more. "Iraq will never allow the programme to serve as a cover for the embargo," said Iraq's deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, urging his country's neighbours to oppose the changes.