Bush calls for end to UN sanctions on Iraq

AFP ^ | April 16, 2003

[Shermy]

SAINT LOUIS, Missouri (AFP) - US President George W. Bush called on the United Nations (news - web sites) to lift crippling economic sanctions on Iraq now that Saddam Hussein's regime has "passed into history."

"Now that Iraq is liberated, the United Nations should lift economic sanctions on that country," Bush told defense workers in his first speech to a civilian audience outside of Washington since the war began.

The United States "in the near future" will seek a UN resolution ending the UN-administered "oil-for-food" program and enable Iraq to sell freely on world markets, according to White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

"Iraq should be able to trade freely, and we need to transition from the oil-for-food program as soon as possible and help restore a normal trading relationship with the global economy," he told reporters.

The arrangement, under which Iraq is allowed to sell oil in order to buy certain basic supplies under UN supervision, had been suspended on March 18 just before the United States launched its war against the Baghdad regime.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution in late March to allow the resumption of humanitarian aid through the program to Iraq, which has labored under crippling sanctions since its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

An estimated 60 percent of the Iraqi population of 22 million depends on the program for daily supplies.

Bush stopped here on his way to his ranch outside the Texas town of Crawford, where he was to stay through Easter. It was his first trip there since he launched the war to disarm and topple Saddam.

Before leaving Washington, Bush signed into law an emergency spending measure that puts a 79-billion-dollar down payment on the war in Iraq, covering expenditures through September 30.

In his speech here, Bush told Boeing defense workers who build the F/A-18 Super Hornet, which flew missions against Iraqi forces, that victory was certain but cautioned that the fighting had not ended.

"Our work is not done, the difficulties have not passed, but the regime of Saddam Hussein has passed into history," he declared, to a roar of approval from the crowd.

"Having rid Iraq of an oppressive regime, we are committed to helping Iraq build a future of freedom and dignity and peace," the US leader said. "We will finish what we've begun."

Bush also called on the US Congress to approve his economic plan, which centers on massive tax cuts, as soon as lawmakers return from their two-week Easter recess.

"Too many of our fellow Americans are looking for work, and that bothers me," said the US leader.

Bush did not comment directly on the capture in Baghdad of radical Palestinian leader Abu Abbas, but referred to the global war on terrorism he declared after the attacks of September 11, 2001.

"That war continues, and we are winning," he said.

"The president is pleased that a well-known terrorist is going to be brought to justice," McClellan told reporters travelling aboard the presidential Air Force One airplane.

[11B3]

What I want to see is President Bush calling for an end to the UN.

[Shermy]

What I want to see is daily protests in front of the Palestine Hotel by Iraqis demanding that sanctions be dropped and all moneys held by the UN returned. The "anti-war camp" will go beserk, from the profiteering axis of weasels down to the parasitical NGOs.

[ExpatCanuck]

Let's see if France vetos this unless the new Iraq agrees to honor the contracts France had with the old Iraq. I would not put this past them.

[anniegetyourgun]

It's a great start. This development has just one intent....to dare the U.N. to keep up sanctions, thereby risking the appearance of being hateful toward the poor, hungry, and pleading Iraqi people. The Left hates sanctions - and yet we may now actually see them embrace witholding to the needy. Gad, I will so enjoy watching them on that side - so WE can accuse them of starving children!

[Carry_Okie]

Bush calls for end to UN sanctions on Iraq

They'll demand a quid pro quo for any action that won't be worth the cost. Why not just ignore the sanctions? Everybody else did while Saddam was in power.

[Carry_Okie]

Bush calls for end to UN sanctions on Iraq

They'll demand a quid pro quo for any action that won't be worth the cost. Why not just ignore the sanctions? Everybody else did while Saddam was in power.

[joesnuffy]

Kofi Annan France Germany Russia China would let the whole country starve rather than coperate with the USA
After all it was they who kept Saddam in power in the first place...and could have easily gotten rid of him by demanding he step down years ago...
OR have allowed the USA to take out Saddam after GW1

[InvisibleChurch]

the UN will probably increase sanctions now

[okie01]

"What I want to see is daily protests in front of the Palestine Hotel by Iraqis demanding that sanctions be dropped and all moneys held by the UN returned."

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for a FReep by the Baghdad chapter...

[katana]

I'll be very surprised if they don't try this but considering that there is no functioning government in Iraq who exactly is supposed to honor the contracts? And while they're trying to sort that out is when you do as Shermy suggests and have thousands of Iraqis outside the Palestine Hotel and what's left of the French Embassy screaming for relief. We'll just have to insist that, UN or no UN, the sanctions are null and void. It will be for the children, after all.

[anniegetyourgun]

We probably will ignore the sanctions, but it's important to require the U.N. to go on record in this matter. Remember, the goal is to keep exposing the U.N. for what they are - scum. The administration must keep the pressure on the U.N. until we get to a point where polls in this country tip against the U.S. participating with the U.N. Only then can the 'kill' be made. Remember, the small percentage of conservatives in the U.S. will not prevail in getting the U.S. out of the U.N. It will take a majority of Americans seeing the light before that dream can be realized.

This administration has been absolutely stealth in its PR war against the U.N. - and it started in the first few months of Bush taking office. You can't name the moves they have taken, as they go unnoticed by the media (because the Congress has little to say about U.N.-related decisions), but they have been myriad over the last two years.

[Sir Gawain]

Scott McClellan, I remember that name:

Presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said, "The president supports the current law (the Clinton gun ban), and he supports reauthorization of the current law."

[m1-lightning]

Bush calls for end to UN sanctions on Iraq

If it were only true...

[aristeides]

Hasn't France said it would veto this?

[arkfreepdom]

The problem is that companies will be afraid to sign contracts with Iraq until this gets cleared up. They could open themselves up to lawsuits. Stupid I know but a fact.

[Mister Baredog]

Let's see if France vetos this unless the new Iraq agrees to honor the contracts France had with the old Iraq. I would not put this past them

Don't mess with Texas, that would be UNwise

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

What I want to see is President Bush calling for an end to the UN.

Yeah, that'll happen...Satan will be skiing when it does.

[johnb838]

I know that the UN and the Democraps have a lot in common these days, strutting and posturing on the sidelines, screaming their fool heads off trying to find something to make themselves appear to be relevant, but stymied by W at every turn in the road.

[cookcounty]

Great tactical move.

Now they have to vote with us, or decide (again) to screw the Iraqi people.

Dominique de Vichy must be getting another headache.