Printable version from NI Global Issues for Learners of English:
How to end the sanctions
Six steps for solving the problem and ending the sanctions:
1. Stop bombing the No-Fly zones
The US and Britain should stop the illegal bombing of Iraq immediately. (Britain and the US continue to bomb the No-Fly zones.)
NO-FLY ZONES: areas in the north & south of Iraq where the Allies have said Iraq may not fly. the reason they give, is to protect minorities in these areas.
2. End the sanctions
The United Nations should end the sanctions against Iraq, except for weapons and military equipment.
3. Give Iraq help to rebuild
After the sanctions have been lifted, Iraq must get support from the UN and from the international community so that the country can be rebuilt in every way.
4. Suspend payments of Compensation to Kuwait
Now, Iraq is allowed to sell a certain amount of oil in order to buy food. However, Iraq must pay 30% of this money into a Compensation Fund for Kuwait. These payments to the Compensation Fund should be reduced or stopped until Iraq can afford to pay.
COMPENSATION: money you pay to someone because you have harmed them
5. Ban weapon sales to Iraq and find suitable weapons monitors
There should be a ban on the sale of arms to Iraq. International monitors, should return to Iraq to make sure that Iraq does not build any weapons of mass destruction. These monitors should be people who are acceptable to Iraq and to the Allies.
MONITOR: someone who carries out checks and reports on what is happening
6. Guarantee all borders
Borders should be guaranteed. Most borders are already protected by UN agreements (either multilateral agreements or unilateral agreements). However, there is no agreement to prevent Turkey from moving across the border into northeast Iraq. Kuwait's borders appear to be secure because: i. Kuwait has signed defense treaties with the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council, and other countries; ii. there are a large number of US military forces in Kuwait and nearby countries.
BORDERS..BE GUARANTEED: there should be international agreements so that no country invades land belonging to another country
These ideas are taken from "Six steps to end the deadlock" in the September 1999 issue of the New Internationalist.© 1999: the New Internationalist
Last Modified: 04 Feb 2000