United Nations Security Council Resolution 666
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
666, adopted on September 13, 1990, after recalling resolutions 661
(1990) and 664
(1990) which discussed the humanitarian situation in Iraq
and Kuwait
and the detention of nationals from foreign countries, the Council decided to ask the Security Council Committee to determine if humanitarian needs have arisen and to keep the situation under review. At the same time, it expected Iraq to comply with its obligations under international law
, including the Fourth Geneva Convention
, relating to the safety and detainment of third-state nationals in Iraq and occupied Kuwait.
The Council then requested the Secretary-General to urgently seek information on the availability of food in Iraq and Kuwait, as well as paying attention to children, the elderly, expectant mothers and the sick, communicating all information to the Security Council Committee. If a humanitarian situation has arisen, the Council decided it would meet to discuss it immediately, directing the Committee to direct foodstuffs through international organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross
and the United Nations. Finally, the resolution noted the strict supervision of medical supplies by governments and humanitarian agencies exporting to Iraq and Kuwait.
Resolution 666 was adopted with 13 votes; Cuba
and Yemen
voted against the resolution, with Cuba stating that even through the use of disclaimers, the resolution amounted to "using starvation as a weapon of war", banned under Protocol 1 of the Geneva Conventions
.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
666, adopted on September 13, 1990, after recalling resolutions 661
United Nations Security Council Resolution 661
In United Nations Security Council Resolution 661, adopted on August 6, 1990, reaffirming Resolution 660 and noting Iraq's refusal to comply with it and Kuwait's right of self-defence, the Council took steps to implement international sanctions on Iraq under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter...
(1990) and 664
United Nations Security Council Resolution 664
United Nations Security Council Resolution 664, adopted unanimously on August 18, 1990, reaffirming resolutions 660 , 661 and 662 , the Council recalled Iraq's obligations under international law and acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, demanded that Iraq permit and facilitate...
(1990) which discussed the humanitarian situation in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
and the detention of nationals from foreign countries, the Council decided to ask the Security Council Committee to determine if humanitarian needs have arisen and to keep the situation under review. At the same time, it expected Iraq to comply with its obligations under international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
, including the Fourth Geneva Convention
Fourth Geneva Convention
The Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, commonly referred to as the Fourth Geneva Convention and abbreviated as GCIV, is one of the four treaties of the Geneva Conventions. It was adopted in August 1949, and defines humanitarian protections for civilians...
, relating to the safety and detainment of third-state nationals in Iraq and occupied Kuwait.
The Council then requested the Secretary-General to urgently seek information on the availability of food in Iraq and Kuwait, as well as paying attention to children, the elderly, expectant mothers and the sick, communicating all information to the Security Council Committee. If a humanitarian situation has arisen, the Council decided it would meet to discuss it immediately, directing the Committee to direct foodstuffs through international organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. States parties to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, have given the ICRC a mandate to protect the victims of international and...
and the United Nations. Finally, the resolution noted the strict supervision of medical supplies by governments and humanitarian agencies exporting to Iraq and Kuwait.
Resolution 666 was adopted with 13 votes; Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
voted against the resolution, with Cuba stating that even through the use of disclaimers, the resolution amounted to "using starvation as a weapon of war", banned under Protocol 1 of the Geneva Conventions
Geneva Conventions
The Geneva Conventions comprise four treaties, and three additional protocols, that establish the standards of international law for the humanitarian treatment of the victims of war...
.
See also
- Foreign relations of IraqForeign relations of IraqSince 1980, the foreign relations of Iraq were influenced by a number of controversial decisions by the Saddam Hussein administration. Hussein had good relations with the Soviet Union and a number of western countries such as France and Germany, who provided him with advanced weapons systems...
- Gulf WarGulf WarThe Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
- Invasion of KuwaitInvasion of KuwaitThe Invasion of Kuwait, also known as the Iraq-Kuwait War, was a major conflict between the Republic of Iraq and the State of Kuwait, which resulted in the seven-month long Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, which subsequently led to direct military intervention by United States-led forces in the Gulf...
- Iraq–Kuwait relationsIraq–Kuwait relationsThe international relations of Iraq and Kuwait have been turbulent, fuelled by Iraqi debt and conflicts over oil.-History:In 1990, Iraq accused Kuwait of stealing Iraqi oil through slant drilling, however some Iraqi sources indicated Saddam Hussein's decision to attack Kuwait was made only a few...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 601 to 700 (1987 – 1991)