The British Position on International Resolutions Concerning Iraq (1991–2000)

Abstract

This study examines and analyzes the political and legal positions of the United Kingdom (Britain) regarding a series of pivotal United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq between 1991 and 2000. The research highlights the British role through two fundamental pillars: first, the international border demarcation process between Iraq and Kuwait in light of Resolutions 687 and 833, where Britain emerged as a primary historical and technical source. Second, the British stance on economic sanctions and the formulation of the "Oil-for-Food" program (Resolution 986), which was utilized as a leverage tool to compel the Iraqi regime's compliance.

The methodology of the study relies on historical and descriptive-analytical approaches to evaluate official Security Council documents and the UK Parliamentary archives. The study concludes that Britain played a decisive role in imposing a border map that weakened Iraq geopolitically and economically. Furthermore, Britain was a staunch advocate for the continuation of sanctions to prevent the resurgence of Iraqi military capabilities. Despite the humanitarian crises, Britain maintained a balance between humanitarian needs and its strategic objectives, which ultimately led to the partial erosion of Iraqi state sovereignty during that period. To arrive at the conclusions, the historical method is relied upon to track events and the analytical-descriptive method is used to evaluate the text of decisions, and the research plan is divided into two main themes; The first topic is about drawing borders and the second topic is about sanctions and the oil-for-food program.