26 September 1999
 
 

way out of Iraq sanctions impasse?

Your Excellency,

1.    This is to present our compliments and to solicit your good offices for bringing the ideas on Iraq sanctions outlined below to the attention of the competent authorities and decision-makers.  Of course, we have no monopoly for good ideas, either.  But as neutral think-tank, informal go-between and adviser in the 1979/1980 Iran hostage affaire, the Falklands/Malvinas conflict, the break-up of former Yugoslavia and the Iraq-Kuwait conflict, we have developed some useful insights and expertise which, in cooperation with the International Committee for European Security and Cooperation and other NGOs with ECOSOC status, have led to some noted UN contributions on security and humanitarian questions.

2.    In light of the persistent impasse on the matter of Iraq, we believe some alternative ideas to merit serious consideration and we trust this communication to assist you in your own bridge-building efforts.

3.    In as much as international economic sanctions are justified and constitute legitimate tools for encouraging a sovereign government to reconsider and eventually bring national policies on internal matters in line with duly incurred international obligations, enforcement of corresponding sanctions by the international community can be meaningful, helpful and legitimate
a)    only as long as the sanctions' stated limited purposes are attainable
       -    on the chosen road,
       -    within reasonable time and
       -    without excessive collateral damages,
b)    only if the objectives thus pursued cannot be attained more reliably, promptly and cost-effectively with alternative means involving the full cooperation of the government concerned, and
c)    only in relation to areas which are under effective control of the government concerned.

4.    In the case of Iraq, the above principles give rise to serious misgivings and questions on both security and humanitarian grounds.  Nine years of a multitude of sanctions have failed to bring about the desired changes.  And essentially more of the same cannot reasonably be expected to make a positive dent anywhere anytime soon.  Thus, the current apparent stalement on how best to resolve the conflicting views and interests over the various sanctions decided by the UN Security Council is also seen as an opportunity to seriously examine alternative approaches.  To this effect, we are inviting you to consider actively supporting the idea of a

dynamic quid pro quo, resulting in a prompt, effective and reliable suspension of economic sanctions for all areas - but only for those - in which Baghdad sees to it that all of Iraq's international obligations, including but not limited to effective armament controls by UN inspections, can be and are verifiably fulfilled.

6.    Furthermore, the above general idea reflects the feedback we have received from many sources - and for which we are most grateful - to the memorandum which was drawn up and is supported by representatives of Iraq's constitutive Arab, Assyrian, Kurdish and Turkoman communities (this memo was submitted for consideration by your authorities on 27 August 1999 by way of your good offices; it's titled: "Are Protective Sanctions Appropriate in the case of the Mosul Vilayet (Northern Iraq)?" and can be down-loaded from the Internet at: http://www.solami.com/MVmem.htm).

7.    Trusting this to receive your prompt and benevolent consideration, we shall be happy to assist you in whatever way we can and are looking forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.  Meanwhile, we take this opportunity to re-assure Your Excellency of our highest consideration and remain, sincerely yours,

Anton Keller, Secretary
GOOD OFFICES GROUP OF EUROPEAN LAWMAKERS