Iraqi non-compliance with UN Security Council resolutions. (United Nations) (statement by Assistant Secretary John R. Bolton before House Subcommittees on Human Rights and International Organizations) (transcript)

I have a prepared statement which, with your consent, I will confine my present remarks to commenting on pending policy issues and their implications for the UN's future role in bringing lasting peace and security to the Persian Gulf.

It is fortuitous that you have called this hearing at the present time, Mr. Chairman. The political declaration that was issued on Tuesday by the G-7 [Group of 7: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, and United States] summit contains elements which bear directly on the matters before us. The leaders said, among other things:

It is matter for hope and encouragement that the UN Security Council with the backing of the international community showed during the Gulf crisis that it could fulfill its role of acting to restore international peace and security and to resolve conflict. . . . We commit ourselves to making the United Nations stronger, more efficient and more effective in order to protect human rights, to maintain peace and security for all and to deter aggression. . . . We note that the urgent and overwhelming nature of the humanitarian problem in Iraq caused by violent oppression by the government required exceptional action by the international community, following UNSCR 688. We urge the United Nations and its affiliated agencies to be ready to consider similar action in the future if circumstances require it.

Unfortunately, however, the events of the last few weeks have provided further evidence of the fundamental untrustworthiness of the Iraq regime headed by Saddam Hussein. The Government of Iraq has cynically violated its solemnly given commitment to abide by the requirements of Resolution 687. It has lied to the UN in its declarations on nuclear activities. It has ignored the requirement contained in Resolution 688 to cease harassing and threatening its own …