The United Nations Security Council, after concluding another review of the trade embargo against Iraq, has wisely rejected any easing of the international sanctions that have been in effect since Saddam Hussein`s army invaded Kuwait 18 months ago.
The decision was an easy call, supported as it was by still more evidence of Saddam`s continuing non-compliance with the cease-fire agreement that sealed Iraq`s defeat in the Persian Gulf war.
His obstructionism is a familiar story by now, and in this case familiarity breeds not only contempt but also a hardened resolve in the UN to make sure Iraq is completely defanged.
So it was gratifying to see the Security Council renew its commitment to a hard line. It would be a mistake to relax sanctions as long as Saddam impedes UN efforts to destroy Iraq`s nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and prevent its rearming.
Destruction of weapons has proceeded, despite the hurdles Baghdad has placed in the way. But Iraq is refusing to go along with UN plans to ensure that Saddam and his minions refrain from building or buying new arms.
”They are not working with us on this,” said UN official Rolf Ekeus.
”They don`t recognize the plan (to block Iraq`s acquisition of new weapons).”
Iraq also is moving too slowly in returning Kuwaiti property and in repatriating Kuwaitis and other foreigners it holds, the Security Council declared.
Baghdad`s ill treatment of people is not confined to foreigners. The cynical and self-centered Saddam, by canceling talks that could have led to the sale of some Iraqi oil, has turned his back on the humanitarian needs of Iraqi citizens.
The UN authorized the oil sale to raise cash for badly needed medicine and food. But the Iraqi government objected to the strict terms of the proposed arrangement and dropped out of a second round of negotiations, which were on the verge of resuming in Vienna.
The Security Council condemned the decision, pointing out correctly that Iraq thereby was ”forgoing the possibility of meeting the essential needs of its civilian population.”
Thus does responsibility for unnecessary human suffering in Iraq still rest with Saddam, where it always has been centered. And it will be Saddam who is to blame if the allied powers that defeated Iraq last year are again driven to play their hole card-the use of military force in behalf of a resolute United Nations.
He must know that the anti-Iraq coalition has preserved a military option. The United States has ships, aircraft and 25,000 troops in the region, and aircraft of several nations can still fly from southern Turkey.
Now Saddam needs to understand his single option: to comply with the UN cease-fire resolutions.
