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Condemning Iraq: The U.N. Security Council

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From Associated Press

Since Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug. 2, the U.N. Security Council has passed 12 resolutions condemning Baghdad’s government. The latest, which authorizes the use of military force, was adopted Nov. 29.

* Aug. 3--One day after Iraq invaded Kuwait, the Security Council voted 14-0 to condemn the invasion and demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraq’s troops. Yemen, the only Arab member of the council, did not vote on Resolution 660, saying it did not have instructions.

* Aug. 6--The council voted 13-0 to order a trade and financial embargo of Iraq and occupied Kuwait. Cuba and Yemen abstained on Resolution 661.

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* Aug. 9--In Resolution 662, the council voted 15-0 to declare Iraq’s annexation of Kuwait null and void in international law.

* Aug. 18--In No. 664, the council voted 15-0 to demand that Iraq free all detained foreigners.

* Aug. 25--The council voted 13-0 to give the United States and other naval powers the right to enforce the economic embargo against Iraq and Kuwait by halting shipping to those countries. Cuba and Yemen abstained on Resolution 665.

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* Sept. 13--The council voted 13-2 to allow humanitarian food aid into Iraq or Kuwait only “to relieve human suffering,” and said only the council could decide when those circumstances exist. Cuba and Yemen voted against Resolution 666.

* Sept. 16--The council voted 15-0 on Resolution 667 to condemn Iraq’s aggressive acts against diplomatic missions in Kuwait, including the abduction of foreigners in the buildings.

* Sept. 24--On Resolution 669, the council voted 15-0 to stress that only its Sanctions Committee has the power to permit food, medicine or other humanitarian aid to be sent into Iraq or occupied Kuwait.

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* Sept. 25--The council voted 14-1 to explicitly expand its economic embargo to include all air cargo traffic in or out of Iraq and Kuwait, except for cargoes of humanitarian aid specifically authorized by its Sanctions Committee. It also calls on U.N. member nations to detain any Iraqi ships that may be used to break the naval embargo. Cuba voted against Resolution 670.

* Oct. 29--The council voted 13-0 to hold Iraq liable for war damages and economic losses, to ask nations to collect evidence of grave human rights abuses by the occupying forces, to demand that the Western embassies in Kuwait City be restocked with food and water, and to demand that all hostages be released. Cuba and Yemen abstained on Resolution 674.

* Nov. 28--The council voted 15-0 on Resolution 677 to condemn Iraq’s alleged attempts to drive out Kuwaitis and repopulate their country, and it asked U.N. Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar to take possession of Kuwait’s census and citizenship records for safekeeping.

* Nov. 29--The council voted 12-2, with one abstention, to give Baghdad “one final opportunity” until Jan. 15 to comply with all previous resolutions. After that date, nations allied with Kuwait are authorized “to use all necessary means” to force Iraq to withdraw and honor the resolutions, a phrase that all council members agree would permit a military strike. China abstained on resolution. Cuba and Yemen voted against it.

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