The Invasion of Kuwait in 1990 - Essay Example

? Invasion of Kuwait May 8, The invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, which is also, referred to as Iraq-Kuwait war commenced on august 2, 1990. Within a few days, most of the Kuwait Armed forces had been overran by the Iraqi Republican guards in all major areas. Subsequently, Saddam Hussein declared that Kuwait was Iraqi’s 19th province. Subsequently, this act strained the relationship not only between these two nations to date, but also with the United States, and this culminated in a military intervention that was spearheaded by the United States. The essence of this paper is to analyze how the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq has affected the relationship between these two countries to date. To achieve this goal, the paper shall analyze the reasons for the invasion, the results, and the United States factor in the invasion. Several reasons were advanced by Iraq to justify the invasion which was contrary to international law, and article 2(4) of the UN Charter which forbids the use or the threat of use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another country. The official reason advanced by Iraq is that it was invading at the request of revolutionaries who were dissatisfied with the regime. However, the real reasons for the attack were conspicuous and were revealed later, for example by Saddam Hussein during his interrogation by the FBI (Gulfnews, 2009). During the Iran-Iraq war, Kuwait was a close ally of Iraq, and as result it was even a target of attacks by the Iran forces. In addition, it helped Iraq to fund the war through loans. However, following the end of the war, relationship between these two countries was heavily strained diplomatically and economically due to various factors. The first reason advanced was due to the international price for oil, which Iraq accused Kuwait for maintaining at a low value. Following the end of the war with Iran, Iraq was seeking to rebuild, and recover from the effects of the war. To rebuild, it was heavily relied on cash proceeds from the sale of oil. Iraq could not rebuild the infrastructure and the economy with the price of the oil being that low, at approximately $7 per barrel. Kuwait was at fault for this low price of oil in the international market. Therefore, Iraq sent officials to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other gulf member countries to convince them to fix the price of oil. The OPEC member states finally agreed at a price, but which the Kuwait said would not honor, and Kuwait was throughout violating their quota. Consequently, this gave rise diplomatic and economic disputes between these two countries (Gulfnews, 2009). Secondly, the other issue related to debts that Kuwait had advanced to Iraq to fund the war with Iran. At the end of the war, Iraq could not repay the debt that amounted to $14 billion. Hence, Iraq approached Iran to forgive the debt, a request which Kuwait rejected. This compromised the other avenue that Iraq could use to secure funds to help in rebuilding, that is through securing loans. This is because the amounts extended had already been registered as loans, and therefore Iraq could not secure loans from third states. Iraq argued that the word ‘loan’ had been used to disguise the real nature of such funding to Iran. Iraq was of the view that these amounts were not loans but free grants to aid in the fight against Iran under Ayatollah Khomeini which was threatening to overran the whole Arab region. The failure to forgive these debts acerbated the tension between these two countries (Gulfnews, 2009). The other reason advanced by Iraq, was the accusation that Kuwait was ‘stealing’ oil across their international border through slant-drilling especially in Rumaila oil fields. The oil field borders the two countries and during the Iraq-Iran war, while Iraq had cut materially production of oil from Rumaila oil fields, Kuwait increased its production in the same area. Iraq accused Kuwait of employing advanced drilling methods to its oil. It argued that Kuwait had ‘stolen’ an estimated $2.4 billion worth of its oil. Iraq therefore demanded compensation from Kuwait, which Kuwait dismissed as a ploy by Iraq in order to deploy its military along the border. As a result, Iraq deployed over 100,000 troops along the border. Other reasons advanced by the Iraq regime was that Kuwait was and remained a part of Iraq, since the eras of British Dominion in the area (Johns, 1990). Iraq therefore claimed the territory of Kuwait as belonging to Iraq. The main reason for this claim was because Kuwait was heavily endowed with resources such as Oil. Consequently as result of the break in the relationship between the two countries, Iraq launched a military assault on Kuwait on 2nd August 1990 from 2 Am. It met little resistance and in 3 days, they had overrun almost all Kuwait forces. Iraq thereafter installed a puppet regime in Kuwait (Gulfnews, 2009). Iraq-US Relationship Prior to the war, the American ambassador had assured that US had no opinion on what was going on between Iraq and US. In addition, the ambassador informed Saddam that United States did not wish to start an economic war. Some scholars argue that Iraq misinterpreted this to mean that the US was giving it a green light to invade Kuwait. In the period leading up to the war, the western powers viewed Iraq as a military threat in the region. This led to US discussing the possibility of establishing a defensive position in Kuwait, which was its ally, against any attack by Iraq (Johns, 1990). Subsequent to the invasion, United States labeled Iraq as an enemy state (foreign, 1990). It is argued that Israel perception of Iraq as a threat contributed a lot to this view by the United States. US viewed Iraq as a threat to its allies in the region especially Saudi Arabia. This led to the US deploying military in Saudi Arabia to protect her against attack by her Iraq. Therefore, US joined the ranks calling for the withdrawal of Iraq forces unconditionally. Results of the Invasion The Invasion caused international uproar, and was unanimously condemned by major superpowers including those who were viewed traditionally as its allies such as France. The UN Security Council made a number of resolutions condemning Iraq. Resolution 660 of 1990 condemned Iraq actions and demanded that it unconditionally withdraws from Iraq. In addition, resolution 662 (1990) of 9 August 1990, declared that the 'annexation of Kuwait by Iraq under any form and whatever pretext has no legal validity and is considered null and void.” (Paragraph 1).These resolutions were ignored by Iraq. This prompted the UN to pass resolution 664(1990) which reaffirmed the illegality of annexation of Iraq. Iraq still refused to withdraw its troops from Kuwaiti prompting the UN Security Council to pass resolution 661 of 1990, which imposed mandatory sanctions and embargo on Iraq. Subsequently, resolution 678(1990) demanded that Iraq withdraws by January 15, 1991, which was set as a deadline, and urged all states that were cooperating with Kuwait to use all means to implement resolution 660(1990). By the January 15, no withdrawal had taken place therefore allied forces operating from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, launched offensive against Iraq troops. The use of force by the allied forces was therefore one that was authorized under chapter VII of the UN Charter. The Iraq forces were repelled, but not before they could destroy Kuwait’s oil infrastructure by burning its oil field (Johns, 1990). How the Invasion affected Kuwait-Iraq relationship today Following the Invasion, Kuwait changed her foreign policy to foster more cooperation with states that had sided with it, especially on its road to rebuild. Kuwait has concluded several defense partnerships, with among others Russia, France and the United Kingdom. The invasion severed ties with the Iraq regime, such that during the 2002 gulf war, Kuwait offered much of her facilities for use by the allied forces. While Saddam Hussein was in power, the relationship between the two countries remained at an all time low. However, following the disposal of Saddam Hussein by the allied forces, Kuwait has continuously played a critical role in the reconstruction of Iraq. Besides the reconstruction process, Kuwait has supported the political process going on in Iraq. It praised the 2005 and hailed the successful 2009 referendum. In 2008, Kuwait hosted Iraq neighbors’ conference (Calderwood, 2011). In addition in 2008, it restored its diplomatic relations with Iraq, following the appointment of Ali Al-Mou’min as its ambassador to Iraq. The Kuwait Prime Minister has insisted that the relationship between the two countries has always remained very strong (Kuwait Network Agency, 2013). In addition, Kuwait has been attempting to rebuild the relationship with Iraq. The leadership of the two countries has held several consultative meetings with the intention of quelling the tension and distrust that had existed between the two nations. Iraq still owes Kuwait approximately US$21.7 in war reparations. In addition, Iraq is yet to make good the loans that it was advanced to by Kuwait in order to fund its eight year war with Iran. In addition, there has been increased economic cooperation between the two countries. For instance, the two countries have established ventures in industry and agriculture where Kuwait’s money is invested to create jobs for Iraqis (calderwood, 2011). In conclusion therefore, the Iraq invasion of Kuwait had serious repercussion on the relationship between the two countries. It not only strained its relationship with Kuwait, but also major superpowers. However, following the removal of Saddam Hussein from power, the relationship between the two countries are slowly normalizing again. References “President George H.W. Bush's Address on Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait, 1990”. (1990). Foreign Relations. Retrieved from http://www.cfr.org/iraq/president-george-hw-bushs-address-iraqs-invasion-kuwait-1990/p24117 “Saddam states reasons for Kuwait invasion”. (July 21, 2009). Gulfnews. Retrieved from http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/saddam-states-reasons-for-kuwait-invasion-1.502105 “Kuwaiti PM: relationship between Iraq, Kuwait too strong”. (Mar 14, 2013). Kuwait Network Agency. Retrieved from http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2298485&Language=en Calderwood, J.(2011). Kuwait and Iraq work to repair relations. The National Retrieved from http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/kuwait-and-iraq-work-to-repair-relations Klein, D. (2003).Mechanism of Western: A Short History of Iraq and Kuwait. Retrieved from http://www.csun.edu/~vcmth00m/iraqkuwait.html Johns, D. (1990). The Invasion of Kuwait. Frontline World. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/iraq501/events_kuwait.html United Nations Security Council Resolution 662 of 9 August 1990 Read More