The U.N. Puts Iraq on Notice

Aft

er weeks of delicate negotiations, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a resolution forcing Iraq to disarm or confront "serious consequences"--most likely war. Iraq's neighbor Syria, widely expected to abstain, was the last country to come around in favor of the measure, after intense lobbying by France, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and even some moderate Arab states. Annan cautioned Syria, the council's only Arab member, that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein might exploit its nonvote in his propaganda. Now Iraq has until Nov. 15 to accept the terms of the decree; U.N. weapons inspectors must resume work in Iraq by Dec. 23 at the latest, and must report back to the council 60 days later. The diplomatic wrangling may not be through, however. Allies hope the resolution will constrain U.S. action. In a joint statement issued hours after the vote, China, France and Russia reiterated their stance that military engagement is the council's call. But Washington maintains that the resolution bolsters its right to attack Iraq if and when it wants. Check out the fine print below.

THE TEXT
Iraq has been and remains in material breach of its obligations under ... resolution 687

WHAT IT MEANS
Iraq's failure to adhere to the Gulf War cease-fire — in legalese, its "material breach"--voids the truce. The U.S. says this frees it to pick up where it left off in 1991, at war.

THE TEXT
Decides ... to afford Iraq ... a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations

WHAT IT MEANS
Syria wanted the resolution to promise a lifting of U.N. sanctions against Iraq if it fulfilled its obligations. It doesn't. This is as close to a carrot as Saddam gets.

THE TEXT
Failure ... to comply ... shall constitute a further material breach and will be reported to the Council

WHAT IT MEANS
The U.S. desire to term any future Iraqi violation a "material breach" is satisfied here, as is the French wish that the council retain the authority to assess the offense.

THE TEXT
... and will be reported to the Council for assessment in accordance with paragraphs 11 and 12

WHAT IT MEANS
That's 11 and 12, not 11 or 12, as in an earlier draft. The change won over the French, since paragraph 12 says the council will convene before possible military action.

THE TEXT
Directs [inspectors] to report immediately any interference by Iraq as well as any failure to comply

WHAT IT MEANS
Scratched from this section is language the U.S. wanted that would have authorized council members "at their sole discretion" to remove weapons the inspectors find.

THE TEXT
Decides to convene upon receipt of a report ... in order to secure international peace and security

WHAT IT MEANS
A last-minute tweak to suit the Russians. It used to say, "to restore international peace ..." Such wording could imply that Iraq is still at war, helping to justify a U.S. attack.