On behalf of the United States, the U.S. Representative, Ambassador Pickering, outlined the U.S. Government's serious concerns about recent Iraqi statements and actions regarding treatment of foreign nationals. In addition to those noted above, he also pointed out that on the very day of the Council meeting, Iraq said it would take special action against the weakest and most innocent of foreign nationals in Kuwait and Iraq by imposing special food restrictions on infant and elderly foreign nationals. Ambassador Pickering listed Iraq's trangressions to date including its unlawful invasion and annexation of Kuwait, attempts to flout sanctions, total rejection of the Council's repeated demands that it withdraw completely, immediately and unconditionally from Kuwait, and other violations of international law on treatment of diplomats and foreign nationals. Resolution 664 would send another clear message, he said, that Saddam Hussein

. and his regime must bear the responsibility for the health, security and safety of third country citizens now locked up in his country. He must bear full responsibility before the family of nations and international public opinion for his treatment of those human beings. It is contrary to international law and to all the norms of Arab hospitality to use guests as military shields. Both the civil rights and the human rights of these individuals are clearly being violated, and we believe that the international community should speak out clearly, with one voice—and now-about the problem.

Resolution 665 of August 25. This resolution called on states cooperating with the Government of Kuwait in deploying maritime forces to the Gulf region "to use such measures commensurate to the specific circumstances" to assure compliance with sanctions imposed under resolution 661. It, in effect, authorized multinational naval forces operating in the area to stop, search and, if necessary, use force to prevent sanctioned cargo from entering Iraq. It was adopted 13 (U.S.) to 0, with 2 abstentions (Yemen, Cuba).

At its adoption, the U.S. Representative made clear that resolution 665 authorized such use of minimum force as might be necessary to implement resolution 661. He said:

At no time since 1945 has this Council been asked to take on the kind of responsibility we are assuming today under conditions where all of its members have cooperated in a strong sense of harmony. Our Charter was founded on the fundamental principle that the Security Council carried a broad responsibility to the people of the world for international peace and security. The Charter empowers it to act in this regard, including the authority to decide to use armed force. The authority granted in this resolution is sufficiently broad to use armed force—indeed, minimum force-depending on the circumstances, which might require it. This is a significant step. On only a few occasions in the past has this authority ever been exercised. This is therefore an historic and significant decision. Under the circumstances, no lesser decision by the Security Council would have been appropriate.

He also emphasized the continued desire of the United States for a peaceful solution to the crisis, and of U.S. readiness to coordinate its maritime activities with other states cooperating with Kuwait in a coalition against Iraq's aggression.

Resolution 666 of September 13. In response to the concern of several UN member states about possible hardships imposed on vulnerable segments of the Iraqi civilian population resulting from sanctions on foodstuffs, the Security Council adopted this resolution on September 13. It outlined the mechanism for Security Council determination when humanitarian circumstances specified in resolution 661 exist for the Sanctions Committee to authorize specific food shipments. Resolution 666 also outlined procedures under which such food shipment and distribution should occur in order to assure food reached its intended beneficiaries. Further, the resolution stipulated that humanitarian agencies must distribute or supervise distribution of such food shipments. Conveying U.S. views on the resolution, the U.S. Representative, Ambassador Pickering, noted the safeguards in this resolution 666 regarding food distribution were necessary, not optional, to ensure food reached its intended beneficiaries. "The resolution just adopted... gives a strong role to the Sanctions Committee in implementing the policies of the Security Council. It ensures that the international community is prepared to respond to cases of genuine human need in a way that meets those needs without destroying the strength of the sanctions." He noted that actions of the Council stood in stark contrast to Iraqi Government policy to deny food to starving foreign nationals. The vote was 13 (U.S.) to 2 (Yemen, Cuba), with 0 abstentions. After its adoption, the Sanctions Committee, pursuant to the resolution, approved an Indian shipment of food to Indian nationals in Iraq.

Resolution 667 of September 16. This resolution, unanimously adopted, condemned raids by Iraqi troops on French and other diplomatic missions in Kuwait. It also demanded that Iraq immediately protect the safety and wellbeing of diplomatic and consular personnel and premises in Kuwait and in Iraq, and take no action to hinder those missions from performing their functions, including having access to their nationals and protection of their persons and interests. The U.S. Representative, speaking before the vote, stated:

As proven by Iraq's expulsion of Kuwaiti citizens from the State of Kuwait in flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Iraqi crimes of violence are continuing. Members of the Council have a special duty to keep the spotlight of world attention on Iraq's behavior and to take concrete measures to restore international peace and security.

Resolution 669 of September 24. To respond to increasing hardships suffered by some countries as a result of their adherence to the sanctions regime, the Security Council in this resolution entrusted to the Sanctions Committee responsibility to examine requests for assistance under provisions of Article 50 of the UN Charter, and to make recommendations to the Council for appropriate action. It was adopted unanimously without specific comment by the permanent representatives.

Resolution 670 of September 25. Because of its significance, the Security Council met at the ministerial level to adopt this resolution, by a vote of 14

(U.S.) to 1 (Cuba), with 0 abstentions. Thirteen foreign ministers attended the meeting, including Secretary of State James A. Baker III.

Resolution 670 imposed a full air embargo against Iraq and Kuwait. It confirmed that sanctions imposed in resolution 661 include goods transported by air, and decided all states should deny permission to any aircraft destined to land in Iraq or Kuwait (except under certain very restricted circumstances outlined in the resolution). It called on states to cooperate in taking measures necessary, consistent with international law and the Chicago Convention, to ensure effective implementation of this resolution. The resolution also called on states to detain or deny entry to their territory of any Iraqi registry ships being used to violate resolution 661. It also further reminded states of their obligations under resolution 661 to freeze all Iraqi assets and to protect those of the legitimate Government of Kuwait, and it affirmed the United Nations, its specialized agencies and other international organizations in the UN system are obligated to take measures necessary to give effect to resolutions 661 and 670. Finally, resolution 670 reaffirmed the Fourth Geneva Convention applied to Kuwait, and as a party to it, Iraq was fully bound under all of its terms and liable for the commission of grave breaches of that Convention.

Speaking at the Council session, Secretary Baker stated that "rarely has the international community been so united and so determined that aggression should not succeed." He outlined the purposes of Security Council resolutions adopted thus far in opposition to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

Elementary justice and a prudent regard for our own interests have brought together an unprecedented solidarity of countries on this issue. We are engaged in a great struggle and test of wills. We cannot allow our hopes and aspirations to be trampled by a dictator's ambitions or his threats.

Our purpose must be clear and at the same time must be clearly understood by all, including the government and people of Iraq. Security Council resolutions 660 and 662 establish the way to settle the crisis: complete, immediate and unconditional Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait, the restoration of Kuwait's legitimate government, and of course the release of all hostages. Until that time, the international community through resolution 661 and its successor resolutions has set a high and rising penalty upon Iraq for each passing day that it fails to abandon its aggression.

These penalties, Mr. President, are beginning to take effect, and bellicose language from Baghdad cannot compensate for the perils of isolation. Threats only prolong the needless suffering of the Iraqi people. Iraq has been quarantined because its brutal actions have separated it from the community of nations. There simply can be no business as usual. In fact, there can be no economic exchanges with Iraq at all.

Today, the United States, together with other members of this Council, supports a new resolution, of course, and additional measures:

First, we explicitly state that UN Security Council resolution 661 will include commercial air traffic. This demonstrates again that the international community is prepared to plug any loophole in the isolation of Iraq.

Secondly, we agree to consider measures against any government that might attempt to evade the international quarantine. No temptation of minor gain should lead any

government to complicity with Iraq's assault on international legality and decency. I would even say, Mr. President, that the more effective the enforcement of sanctions, the more likely there will be a peaceful evolution of this conflict.

Third, we remind the Government of Iraq that it is not free to simply disregard its international obligations, especially the humanitarian provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Each and every day that Iraqi officials flout norms of elementary decency makes it that much more difficult for Iraq to resume its place in the international community and to repair the damage that it has done....

Fourth, the Council puts the Government of Iraq on notice that its continued failure to comply could lead to further action, including action under Chapter Seven. The international community has made clear its desire to exhaust every peaceful possibility for resolving this matter in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. But we are all very well aware that the Charter envisages the possibility of further individual and collective measures to defend against aggression and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law.

Secretary Baker also stated sanctions were aimed at reversing the aggressive policies of the Iraqi government: "They are not aimed at the Iraqi people, who are being forced to live with the consequences of an extraordinarily misguided policy."

Resolution 674 of October 29. This resolution demanded Iraq immediately cease taking third country nationals hostage and release those it was holding—including those held as "human shields" to protect strategic sites from attack. It also demanded Iraq immediately provide access to food, water and basic necessities to Kuwaitis and other third country nationals, including diplomats, and called on states to collect evidence of Iraqi abuses of human rights in Kuwait. Finally, this resolution put Iraq on notice that under international law, it was responsible for any loss, damage or injury of Kuwaitis or third country nationals resulting from the invasion or occupation of Kuwait. It was adopted 13 (U.S.) to 0, with 2 (Cuba, Yemen) abstentions.

"Iraq's continued unacceptable breach of international norms requires the international community to speak out yet again," the U.S. Representative stated. "It is speaking out again today clearly against Iraq's efforts to destroy the sovereign state of Kuwait through organized looting, destruction, even murder. By its systematic terrorizing of local and foreign innocent citizens, Baghdad has defied the world community, this Council and widely accepted standards of international conduct."

He also stated that "the resolution also makes clear that Iraq is liable for full restitution or compensation for the losses and damages it has caused by its illegal invasion and occupation of Kuwait. We anticipate the Council will address this question more fully in the days ahead."

Resolution 677 of November 28. In a 2-day session beginning November 27, numerous states spoke in the Security Council on Iraq's systematic destruction of the state of Kuwait. The U.S. Representative also outlined numerous human rights abuses Iraqi troops had perpetrated against Kuwaitis and third country nationals, and the United States documented fully grave breaches of the 1949

Geneva Convention in a separate report to the Secretary General. At the end of the debate, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 677, which condemned Iraq for attempting to alter the demographic composition of Kuwait and to destroy Kuwait's civilian records. The resolution asked the Secretary General to take possession of Kuwait's population records.

Acting as President of the Council, but speaking on behalf of the United States, Ambassador Pickering stated:

The record of rape, plunder, torture and murder compiled by Iraqi authorities since their invasion of Kuwait has posed a direct challenge to the purposes for which this Organization was founded. The Iraqi authorities have plunged a peaceful people into the scourge of war, denied the dignity and worth of the human person, destroyed conditions under which justice can be maintained, and eradicated generations of social progress.

From the day that Iraq launched its crime, this Council has condemned Iraq's occupation of Kuwait and adopted measures to restore international peace and security. As we were told today, Iraq's crime is deepening. The 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, drafted by the same generation of statesmen who founded our organization, places specific obligations on Iraqi officials. As invited by resolution 674 (1990), the United States Government has submitted, as a document of the Security Council, information on grave breaches of that Convention.

Resolution 678 of November 29. For the second time in 1990, the Security Council held a ministerial level meeting, at which Foreign Ministers gathered to adopt this resolution. Resolution 678 authorized states cooperating with Kuwait to use all necessary means—including use of force to ensure Iraqi compliance with Security Council resolutions. It granted Iraq a "pause for peace"—until January 15, 1991-to comply before member states would use the authority under this resolution to use force. The vote was 12 (U.S.) to 2 (Cuba, Yemen), with 1 abstention (China).

Secretary of State Baker, chairing the session as Security Council President, cast the affirmative vote for the United States. In his statement, Secretary Baker said:

Today's vote marks a watershed in the history of the United Nations. Earlier this week, members of the Council heard testimony of crimes committed against the citizens of Kuwait. There can be no doubt that these are crimes incompatible with any civilized order. They are part of the same pattern that includes the taking of innocent hostages from many nations. The entire international community has been affronted by a series of brutal acts.

The nations of the world have not stood idly by. We have taken political, economic and military measures to quarantine Iraq and to contain its aggression. We have worked out a coordinated international effort involving over 50 states to provide assistance to those nations most in need as a consequence of the economic embargo of Iraq. And, military forces from over 27 nations have been deployed to defend Iraq's neighbors from further aggression and to