The *FREE ARAB VOICE* (http://www.fav.net) 5/23/00
Britain Says Air Travel is NOT Violation of Embargo on Iraq

Two Official British Documents to the United Nations Arguing that
the Travel of Civilians by Air in and out of Iraq does not Constitute a
Violation of the Embargo, brought to you courtesy of Laith Shubeilat,
the President of the Association against Zionism and Racism in Amman,
Jordan

Dear Readers of the Free Arab Voice,

Below you shall find the transcripts of two documents containing
official statements by British Government representatives to the United
Nations emphasizing that the travel of civilian passengers in and out
of Iraq does not constitute a violation of the embargo.  These British
declarations to the Sanctions Committee came in anticipation of the
evacuation of British nationals from Iraq right before the war started.
 However, if this was the official British interpretation of Resolution
661 (1990) before the war but after the imposition of sanctions on
Iraq, why can't it still be applied today to non-British civilians
after the war, for example, to Iraqi civilians?

The documents below bring forth the double standard applied to British
and Iraqi nationals, and the way superpowers toy with international law
to suit their interests at the moment.

The argument here would be that Britain was willing, because it sought
to evacuate its citizens from Iraq, to interpret Resolution 661 in a
way that leads one to conclude IN PRINCIPLE that air travel by civilian
passengers is NOT in violation of the embargo on Iraq.  It is
interesting to see how that interpretation is defended twice by the
British Government in the documents below.  On the other hand, the
British Government had no problem whatsoever in turning around and
resorting to the most strict interpretation of Resolution 661 when it
was to be applied to Iraqi citizens and other nationals.  Such
hypocrisy however makes a mockery of international law and wreaks with
disregard for Iraqi lives.

The documents below, moreover, are important today because they can be
used as a powerful weapon against the embargo, by the
anti-sanctions/anti-war movement worldwide.  They serve to underline
the moral aspects of the embargo, and the double-standards practiced by
the West.  They can also serve to push for a  reinterpretation of
Resolution 661 to allow civilian air travel in and out of Iraq, based
on the British interpretation of that resolution.

The paragraphs highlighting the British position on how the travel of
civilians by air does not constitute a violation of the embargo have
been capitalized.

[These documents are brought to you by the Free Arab Voice in
cooperation with Laith Shubeilat, the president of the Association
against Zionism and Racism (AZAR). ]
 

                                        The Free Arab Voice
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First Letter:
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S/AC.25/COMM.39
9 OCTOBER 1990
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED
RESOLUTION 661 (1990) CONCERNING THE
SITUATION BETWEEN IRAQ AND KUWAIT

[Letter dated 9 October 1990 from the Deputy Permanent Representative
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the
United Nations addressed to the Chairman of the Security Council
Committee established by Resolution 661 (1990) concerning the situation
between Iraq and Kuwait]

I wish to refer to the letter of today's date from the Deputy Permanent
Representative of the United Nations, Mr. James Milkinson, regarding a
flight by an Iraqi Airways aircraft from Baghdad to London on Wednesday
10 October, which is scheduled to depart at 1800 hours local time.  IT
IS THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT THE FLIGHT WILL BE
CARRYING ONLY PASSENGERS AND THEIR PERSONAL BAGGAGE AND WILL THEREFORE
BE CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF RESOLUTION 661.

In accordance with their obligations under Resolutions 661 and 670, the
British Government will ensure that the aircraft is fully inspected on
arrival at, and before departure from, London to ensure that it has
carried and will not carry any prohibited cargo.  In view of this the
approval of the Committee is sought under paragraph 4(b) of the
Resolution 670 in respect of the return flight from London to Baghdad.

I should be grateful if you would circulate this letter to the members
of the Committee immediately.  In view of the imminent departure of the
flight it would be most helpful if you could inform the Members of the
Committee that if no objection has been received by 2000 hours today,
you will take this as signifying their approval.

                     [Signature]
                     Yours Sincerely
                     T L Richardson
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Second Letter:
--------------

S/AC.25/1990/COMM.6
30 AUGUST 1990

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED
RESOLUTION 661 (1990) CONCERNING THE
SITUATION BETWEEN IRAQ AND KUWAIT

[Letter dated 29 August 1990 from the Permanent Representative of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United
Nations addressed to the Chairman of the Security Council Committee
established by Resolution 661 (1990) concerning the situation between
Iraq and Kuwait]

In connection with the implementation of Security Council Resolution
661 (1990) I have the honour to bring the following matter to the
attention of the Sanctions Committee of the Security Council.

It was announced by President Saddam Hussein on 28 August that all
foreign women and children currently detained in Iraq would shortly be
permitted to leave.  Accordingly my government has been making
arrangements to evacuate the British nationals concerned as quickly as
possible by air.

Depending on the outcome of further discussions with the Iraqi
authorities, this evacuation will take place either by British or by
Iraqi carrier.  In either case the British government will take all
necessary measures to ensure that neither the outward nor the return
journey will be used for any purpose that is contrary to the provisions
of SCR 661.

The authorities of a number of countries en route whom my authorities
have approached for overflight clearance have shown reluctance to grant
it on the grounds that to do so would run counter to their obligations
under SCR 661.

IT IS THE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF MY GOVERNMENT THAT SUCH FLIGHTS,
CARRYING ONLY PASSENGERS, ARE NOT IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE PROVISIONS OF
SCR 661.  I WOULD VALUE THE COMMITTEE'S IMMEDIATE ENDORSEMENT OF THIS
VIEW.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest
consideration.

                         [Signature]
                         Crispin Tickell