United Nations Security Council Resolution 706
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
706 decided on a mechanism to allow Iraq
to sell oil
in return for humanitarian aid
from Member States. The Council, acting under Chapter VII
, adopted the resolution on August 15, 1991, after recalling resolutions 661
(1990), 686
(1991), 687
(1991), 688
(1991), 692
(1991), 699
(1991) and 705
(1991). The provisions of Resolution 706 functioned in a way similar to that which was later implemented in the Oil-for-Food Programme
under Resolution 986
in 1995.
The resolution, co-sponsored by the United States
, determined that Iraq could sell up to US$
1.6 billion, following approval of each sale by the Security Council Committee established in Resolution 661 (1990). It also decided that part of proceeds from the sale of the oil would be used for payments to the United Nations Compensation Commission
to help compensate Kuwait
after the Iraqi invasion
.
The Council went on to request the Secretary-General, in consultation with the International Committee of the Red Cross
, to report back within 20 days regarding the implementation of the Resolution 687 regarding the repatriation of Kuwaiti and foreign nationals or their remains present in Iraq. It also requested Iraq report monthly on the gold and foreign currency reserves it held in the country or elsewhere.
Iraq refused to sell the oil under this resolution
, claiming it was a violation of its sovereignty and that it imposed a "guardianship" on its people.
Resolution 706 was adopted by 13 votes to one against from Cuba
, and one abstention
from Yemen
.
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"....
706 decided on a mechanism to allow 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....
to sell oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
in return for humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
from Member States. The Council, acting under Chapter VII
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter sets out the UN Security Council's powers to maintain peace. It allows the Council to "determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression" and to take military and nonmilitary action to "restore international peace...
, adopted the resolution on August 15, 1991, 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), 686
United Nations Security Council Resolution 686
United Nations Security Council Resolution 686, adopted on March 2, 1991, after reaffirming resolutions 660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, 670, 674, 677 and 678 , the Council noted the suspension of military activities against Iraq and that all twelve resolutions continue to have full force...
(1991), 687
United Nations Security Council Resolution 687
United Nations Security Council Resolution 687, adopted on April 3, 1991, after reaffirming resolutions 660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, 670, 674, 677, 678 and 686 , the Council set the terms, in a comprehensive resolution, with which Iraq was to comply after losing the Gulf War.The...
(1991), 688
United Nations Security Council Resolution 688
United Nations Security Council Resolution 688, adopted on April 5, 1991, after receiving letters from the representatives of France, Iran and Turkey and expressing its concern over repression of the Iraqi people, including those in Iraqi Kurdistan, the Council condemned the repression and...
(1991), 692
United Nations Security Council Resolution 692
United Nations Security Council Resolution 692, adopted on May 20, 1991, after recalling resolutions 674 , 686 and 687 , as well as taking the report by the Secretary-General, the Council decided to establish the United Nations Compensation Commission to deal with compensation claims resulting...
(1991), 699
United Nations Security Council Resolution 699
United Nations Security Council Resolution 699, adopted unanimously on June 17, 1991, after recalling Resolution 687 and noting the report by the Secretary-General it requested, the Council, acting under Chapter VII, confirmed that the International Atomic Energy Agency and United Nations Special...
(1991) and 705
United Nations Security Council Resolution 705
United Nations Security Council Resolution 705, adopted unanimously on August 15, 1991, after considering a note by the Secretary-General, the Council decided that compensation paid by Iraq to the United Nations Compensation Commission arising from Resolution 687 should not exceed 30 per cent of...
(1991). The provisions of Resolution 706 functioned in a way similar to that which was later implemented in the Oil-for-Food Programme
Oil-for-Food Programme
The Oil-for-Food Programme , established by the United Nations in 1995 was established with the stated intent to allow Iraq to sell oil on the world market in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian needs for ordinary Iraqi citizens without allowing Iraq to boost its military...
under Resolution 986
United Nations Security Council Resolution 986
United Nations Security Council Resolution 986, adopted unanimously on April 14, 1995, after reaffirming all resolutions on Iraq and noting the serious humanitarian situation with the Iraqi civilian population, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, established a...
in 1995.
The resolution, co-sponsored by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, determined that Iraq could sell up to US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.6 billion, following approval of each sale by the Security Council Committee established in Resolution 661 (1990). It also decided that part of proceeds from the sale of the oil would be used for payments to the United Nations Compensation Commission
United Nations Compensation Commission
The United Nations Compensation Commission was created in 1991 as a subsidiary organ of the United Nations Security Council. Its mandate is to process claims and pay compensation for losses and damage suffered as a direct result of Iraq's 1990-1991 invasion and occupation of Kuwait...
to help compensate 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...
after the Iraqi invasion
Invasion of Kuwait
The 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...
.
The Council went on to request the Secretary-General, in consultation with 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...
, to report back within 20 days regarding the implementation of the Resolution 687 regarding the repatriation of Kuwaiti and foreign nationals or their remains present in Iraq. It also requested Iraq report monthly on the gold and foreign currency reserves it held in the country or elsewhere.
Iraq refused to sell the oil under this resolution
Resolution (law)
A resolution is a written motion adopted by a deliberative body. The substance of the resolution can be anything that can normally be proposed as a motion. For long or important motions, though, it is often better to have them written out so that discussion is easier or so that it can be...
, claiming it was a violation of its sovereignty and that it imposed a "guardianship" on its people.
Resolution 706 was adopted by 13 votes to one against from 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 one abstention
Abstention
Abstention is a term in election procedure for when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote or, in parliamentary procedure, is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot. Abstention must be contrasted with "blank vote", in which a voter casts a ballot willfully made invalid by...
from 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....
.
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...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 701 to 800 (1991 – 1993)