Could someone please tell me what the starvation embargo and UN inspections in Iraq are about?
Thanks!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines/081900-02.htm
http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_07/uk/ethique.htm
The Starvation Embargo and UN inspections in Iraq were important events in the early 2000s. Here's an explanation of what they were about:
1. Starvation Embargo: The Starvation Embargo, also known as the UN sanctions on Iraq, was a policy implemented by the United Nations Security Council in 1990. It was a response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The embargo aimed to pressure Iraq to comply with UN resolutions and disarm its weapons of mass destruction.
The sanctions imposed by the UN had a significant impact on Iraq's economy and its ability to import essential goods, including food and medicine. This led to a severe humanitarian crisis, as the living conditions of ordinary Iraqis deteriorated. The embargo continued to be in effect until 2003 when the US-led invasion of Iraq took place.
To learn more about the Starvation Embargo, you can visit the provided links:
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction
- Common Dreams: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines/081900-02.htm
2. UN Inspections: In the aftermath of the First Gulf War, Iraq was accused of developing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and failing to comply with disarmament obligations. As a result, the UN Security Council authorized weapons inspections to verify Iraq's compliance.
The UN inspection team, known as the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM), was tasked with dismantling Iraq's WMD programs. The inspections involved searching for and destroying chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, as well as the facilities and materials related to their production.
These inspections became a contentious issue, with Iraq restricting and obstructing the work of the inspectors. The inspectors and their Iraqi counterparts would often engage in tense negotiations and confrontations over access to suspected WMD sites.
For more information about UN inspections in Iraq, you can refer to this link from UNESCO: http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_07/uk/ethique.htm
It's important to note that these events were part of a larger geopolitical context and have been widely debated and analyzed over the years. The provided resources should offer detailed information to help you understand the background and developments during that time.