US holds in UN Committee 661: "Smart" Sanctions
Since the U.N. adopted economic sanctions in 1945, in its charter, as a means of maintaining global order, it has used them fourteen times (twelve times since 1990). But only those sanctions imposed on Iraq have been comprehensive, meaning that virtually every aspect of the country's imports and exports is controlled, which is particularly damaging to a country recovering from war.

The itemized list [2M] of US holds in the Iraq Oil for Food Program used to produce these results comes from an accidentally released 661 Committee contract report from March 2001 that gave line item details on approved and withheld sales for the Oil for Food program from 1997 up to when the report was released. The original spreadsheet and details about the report and its release can be found here, and more commentary on the attempts to publish it here, credit for publishing the data goes to Drew Hamre.

All I've done is code a simple perl script that checks against goods and "reason for non-compliance". "Header Status" reflects status as of March 2001.

The intention of the US seems clearly, during the Gulf War and during the sanctions program, to have been to make living in Iraq impossible and to lay the blame for the suffering entirely at the feet of Saddam Hussein: the effects of sanctions would be part of a propaganda campaign for the US policy of 'regime change'. The policy resulted in massive numbers of premature deaths: from the purposeful destruction of water treatment facilities and other civillian infrastructure during the Gulf War and then blocking or holding up supplies required to repair and maintain them; the blocking of medical supplies; the malnourishment from an underfunded Oil for Food program that was used, at the same time, to pay off war reparations to the Princes of Kuwait; the prevention of other reconstruction of essential civillian infrastructure for 12 years. By 1999 the infant mortality rates more than doubled from their rates previous to the Gulf War. The State Department has never attempted to explain what change in policy Saddam made with respect to child health-care that might have resulted in such a rate increase: the answer why is obvious, because it was entirely the direct result of US and UNSC policy. How many died, exactly, will never be known - if the lower estimates are taken there is clear evidence for serious crimes against humanity, if the upper estimates are taken it could be easily argued as a case of genocide. The range of credible estimates is in the hundreds of thousands to the millions.

None of the four men most responsible for the sanctions policy - George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush (least of the four), and Saddam Hussein - have been indicted for it.

For more information on the sanctions program visit CASI. For more information about the Oil For Food program visit Oil For Food Facts.

--josh buermann

Hold byHeader StatusGoodsAmountReason for non-compliance or holdReceivedMissionExporter
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL SUPPLIES"$145,562.50 "more info about contract17-Mar-98 JordanKarmel International Trading Est.
The United StatesNull/VoidMEDICAL EQUIPMENT PARTS$0.00 More info. on exact end user17-Jun-98 ItalyCulligan International (Uk) Ltd
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL INSTRUMENTS"$175,600.00 "Tech. specs on amino acid analyzerand heraeus lamin air required11-Sep-98 JordanAmmun Scientific Co.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL SUPPLIES"$276,732.90 "Need end use/user information01-Dec-98 JordanNile Est. For Medical & Laboratory Supplies
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL SUPPLIES"$1,820,349.23 "Change blk to hold pending technical specs. on various items (see fax for details).22-Dec-98 IndiaAir Pac Exports
The United Kingdom; The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT PARTS"$94,157.28 "US: for composition material of electric pumps and technical specs on bacteriologic filter; UK: technical specs requested for all equipment05-May-99 FranceSubtil Crepieux
The United Kingdom; The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$351,353.20 ""US: Goods are on the 1051list as indicated by the Secretariat and 1051 items: Tab 10, Page 21 Paragraph 4.10 drum drying unit (item #2); Tab 10, Page 20, Paragraph 23 HEPA filters (item #2); Tab 10, Page 21, Paragraph 4.3 plate press filter separators (it"08-Jan-99 IndiaDev Industrial Enterprises
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT PARTS"$838,846.10 "for technical specs and clarification of quantities (10 sterlizers for 13 hospitals).09-Sep-99 JapanAzwell Inc.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$2,448,246.00 ""US: Goods appear to be on 1051 list a tab 10, pg 15, para 1.4; pg 19, para 2; pg 20, paras 2.3 & 2.5"20-Oct-99 IndiaAir Pac Exports
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$1,601,018.85 "dual use11-Nov-99 EgyptFisher Scientific Middle East & Africa
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$2,494,100.00 "US: goods on 1051 list; 29-Nov-99 FranceLevant Overseas Development Ltd.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$4,247,920.00 "US: Filters are on 1051 list. 29-Nov-99 SwitzerlandAlphacos Sa
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT PARTS"$236,907.00 "US: what type of machine is toshiba unit?03-Dec-99 SyriaAsia Medical Center
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT PARTS"$816,453.00 "technical specs ; detailed end use/user info; deletion of Israeli clause03-Dec-99 SyriaAsia Medical Center
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT PARTS"$1,905,156.00 "for technical specs; detailed end use/user info & deletion of Israeli clause03-Dec-99 SyriaAsia Medical Center
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$550,900.00 ""US: 1, 6, 10 are on 1051 list."10-Dec-99 ItalyNicomac S.R.L
The United Kingdom; The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$823,980.00 "US:technical specifications & goods have dual use applications; UK: monitoring details17-Dec-99 ItalyOlsa S.P.A.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$10,262,045.75 "items FP202 (vision powerstation MPX single processing station) & FP285 (set of documentation in English) have dual use applications & are on the 1051 list17-Dec-99 FranceSmv International
The United Kingdom; The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$897,300.00 "US: Item #1 (glatt tablet mixer/granulator) on 1051 list; UK: Require UNMOVIC to be present in Iraq as all items are of significant BW concern04-Jan-00 SwitzerlandGlatt Maschinen- Und Apparatebau Ag
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$1,604,115.00 ""items 3, 16, 18, 28, 29, 40-42, 44, 52, 54-56 on 1051 list"28-Jan-00 JordanNile Est. For Medical & Laboratory Supplies
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$1,500,000.00 ""Teflon hoses appear to be on 1051 list at tab 5, annex C, pg 51, para 2. OIP to provide tech info/assessments used to determine that the above goods are not subject to SCR 1051. Hold for additional tech info on static welding machine, manual tooling equ"28-Jan-00 ItalyVimat S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$851,360.00 "goods on 1051 list07-Feb-00 ItalyDott. Bonapace & C Srl
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$132,557.00 "US: goods on 1051 list as indicated by Secretariat07-Feb-00 ItalyDott. Bonapace & C Srl
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$6,300,000.00 "Computers are on the 1051 list07-Mar-00 Germany"Siemens A.G., Medical "
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$142,390.00 ""For following info: By varying speed, aperture size & blade type, what is the smallest particle size mill can produce? Can mill be made explosion proof? Can mill be made to handle toxic/corrosive materials? What is grade of stainless steel for all parts"02-Mar-99 IndiaCmc Machinery
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$811,545.94 ""1051 item: tab 9, p50, para 72.2 litotripsy instrument has triggered spark gaps; additional info required on: operating frequency, power rating in watts for ultrasonic generator and transducer set; specs for computer included in endovision system includin"19-Apr-99 FranceKarl Storz Endoscopie France Sa
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$4,554,883.20 "US: goods on 1051 list as indicated by Secretariat30-Mar-00 Germany"Siemens Ag, Medizintechnik"
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES"$201,016.80 "for tech specs on all goods14-Jun-00 JordanJordan Investments And Resources Ltd.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES"$2,171,326.31 ""items #5, 6, 7 appear to be on 1051 list at tab 10, pg 14, para 1.2. OIP to provide tech info/assessments used to determine that goods are not subject to SCR 1051"14-Jun-00 AustriaLeica Microsysteme Gmbh
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$640,468.00 "pending further technical review23-Jun-00 ItalyIma (Industria Macchine Automatiche) S.P.A.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES"$1,453,074.00 ""pending further tech review, material composition & size of vibratory bowl (item 14)"23-Jun-00 ItalyIma (Industria Macchine Automatiche) S.P.A.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES"$3,288,186.00 "pending further tech review23-Jun-00 ItalyIma (Industria Macchine Automatiche) S.P.A.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$779,190.50 "US: goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't10-Jul-00 JordanNile Est. For Medical & Laboratory Supplies
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT PARTS"$218,012.40 ""US: itemize and give specifications for all components in the raw water pressure system (item #1); provide specifications for all pumps including dimensions, weight, type, material composition for all components and linings, flow rate, inlet/outlet pressu"17-Jun-98 ItalyCulligan International (Uk) Ltd
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$2,687,500.00 "US: item 5 (HD 160) with fast moving parts on 1051 list;25-Feb-00 FranceLevant Overseas Developments Ltd.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$88,961.40 ""The following items appear to be on the 1051 list: hematology training at Tab 10, Pg 17, Para 1.13 & Tab 5, Annex C Pg 22, Para 2. OIP to provide tech info/assessments used to determine that the above goods are not subject to SCR 1051"27-Mar-00 JordanArab Food & Medical Appliances Co Ltd
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$3,673,353.73 ""tech specs, detailed end user info"04-Jun-99 JordanMisk For International Marketing & Supply
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$920,000.00 ""tech specs on Mini Vidas configuration, fluro immuno assay system - 1051 list"05-Jun-00 FranceBiomerieux
The United StatesOn Hold"MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES FOR""$276,732.90 "pending further review of tech specs24-Mar-99 JordanNile Est. For Medical & Laboratory Supplies
The United Kingdom; The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$558,250.00 ""US: for tech specs - goods appear to be on 1051 list; UK: for tech specs of ""St. St. Vessel"" & material composition of ea item. Also require end-user details for these items"29-Apr-99 ChinaChina National Aero-Technology
The United Kingdom; The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$707,340.00 ""US: Items #1-5 on 1051 list at tab 10, pg 14, #1.3; UK: Require UNMOVIC to be in the country as all items are of significant BW concern"04-Jun-99 Switzerland"Fryma-Maschinen Ag,"
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$506,150.00 "item #1 on 1051 list11-Jun-99 IndiaDev Industrial Enterprises
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$4,732,087.00 "provide the maximum possible power output in watts for the transducer and power supply.19-Apr-99 GermanySiemens Ag
The United Kingdom; The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL SUPPLIES"$62,100.94 "US: goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't; UK: BW concerns with impex-rated items 6-9 & therefore require presence of UNMOVIC in Iraq before approval22-Jul-99 JordanMedical Development & Supply Co. Ltd.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$1,293,330.00 ""item 1 - 1051 list - t10, p11, 10.4.1 & t10, p16, 1.9 & 2.2 &2.3"27-Sep-99 ItalyDott. Bonapace & C Srl
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL SUPPLIES"$310,002.03 "US: for tech specs on vacuum pump31-Mar-99 FranceOtto Bock France S.A.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$259,380.00 "US: tech specs and end use info for x-ray Midiroll19-Jun-00 SyriaAsia Medical Center Abdul Afatah Al Hussain
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$39,861.25 ""goods on 1051 list at Tab 10, Pg 20, #4. OIP to provide tech info/assessments used to determine that above goods are not subject to SCR 1051."20-Jun-00 TurkeySovtur Ithalat Ihracat Ve Ticaret A.S.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$2,174,954.41 "tech specs on computer and high frequency generators (#50) and inverter (#51)22-Jun-00 ItalyIms
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$954,665.00 ""US: nebulizers - 1051 list - tab 5, annex c, p21, 3"26-Jun-00 ThailandThai S.D. Marketing Ltd
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$12,082,070.00 "goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't18-Jul-00 SwedenGetinge Ab
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$422,541.90 "tech specs on x-ray equipment and specific end user02-Aug-00 JordanAl-Defaf Establishment For Trade
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$4,183,833.90 "US: goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't; 14-Aug-00 AustriaMunchener Medizin Mechanic
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$526,617.00 "pending further tech review14-Aug-00 Spain"Gestiones Hispano Arabes, S.L."
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$754,134.00 ""US: provide specs on the chemical toxins this sampler can detect, the sensitivity of the detector to these toxins and the principle of operation of the detector "11-Sep-00 MalaysiaEnvironmental Science (M) Sdn Bhd
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$495,721.40 "goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't22-Sep-00 AustriaCc Med Consulting & Engineering Gmbh
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$89,065.35 "goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't22-Sep-00 AustriaCc Med Consulting & Engineering Gmbh
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$2,866,076.73 "US: goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sect.; 22-Sep-00 AustriaMarquette Hellige Ges.M.B.H.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$123,648.00 ""US: Goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't. Also item #8 appears to be on 1051 list at tab 10, pg 12, para 10.4.3. "27-Sep-00 ItalyT.M.P. S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$906,620.50 "goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't02-Oct-00 ItalyMicromed S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$490,936.66 "goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't02-Oct-00 ItalyMicromed S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$4,863,520.00 ""Goods are on the 1051 list as indicated by the Secretariat and 1051 item: Tab 9, Page 52, Paragraph 78 and Tab 10, Page 46, Paragraph 2.7.1 digital computers; explain the storage in San Francisco clause - is the equipment originating in the USA; provide a"02-Oct-00 GermanyBrainlab Ag
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$838,898.10 "goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't02-Oct-00 ItalyMicromed S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$1,426,546.80 "goods on 1051 list as indicated by the Sect02-Oct-00 ItalyMicromed S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$1,468,210.12 "goods on 1051 list as indicated by the Sect02-Oct-00 ItalyMicromed S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$333,924.00 "tech specs (illegible)10-Oct-00 The United KingdomJ.J. Bureau Ltd.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$357,932.00 ""US: items #1 & 2 on 1051 list at tab 10, pg 15, para 1.39 & tab 10, pg 14, para 1.3"11-Oct-00 ItalyCos.Mec. S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$564,432.00 "tech specs on item 40 - what type of filter governs filling line11-Oct-00 ItalyT.M.P. S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL APPLIANCES; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$3,593,638.18 ""tech specs and material specs on items 26, 27, 73, 108, 110, 112, 118 - 120, 128, 147"17-Oct-00 FranceKarl Storz Endoscopie France Sa
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$550,050.00 ""US: provide specifications for the programmable logic computer including processor type and manufacturer, maximum certified clock speed, certified thermal operating range, and number of machine cycles for each floating point operation; Supplier states tha"17-Oct-00 France"Diosna, Vmi, Dept. Industri Rayneri"
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$1,053,795.60 "need specific end use20-Oct-00 BelgiumAtlas Copco Airpower
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL SUPPLIES; LABORATORY SUPPLIES"$681,879.00 ""item #1 on 1051 list at tab 9, pg 31, para 34.6, als for tch specs on microprocessor/CPU"30-Oct-00 JordanNile Est. For Medical & Laboratory Supplies
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$106,484.39 ""1051 listed item; Tab 10, Page 12 Paragraph 10.4.1.1 and 10.4.1.5 and Tab 10, Page 39, Paragraph 2.2.5.2 double cone dry powder mixer (item #1) "06-Nov-00 ItalyCos.Mec. S.R.L.
The United Kingdom; The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$2,359,754.43 "US: Goods on 1051 list as indicated by Sec't; UK: pending cinsideration by experts07-Nov-00 ItalyT.M.P. S.R.L.
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$176,550.87 ""US: 1051 listed item:Tab 10, Page 14, Paragraph 1.2 Item #3 assay and detection system for microorganisms; WMD dual use related to S/1995/208, Page 16, Paragraph 1.6 - item #1 is a filter apparatus that can be use to filter serum and medium 100+ liters; "16-Nov-00 FranceSartorius Sa
The United Kingdom; The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$1,428,070.89 ""UK: pending consideration by experts. US: goods on 1051 list at Tab 10, pg 15, par. 1.3.10 drum drying equipment. OIP please provide any technical information/assessments used to determine that the above goods are not subject to the provision of SCR 1051."28-Nov-00 ItalyDe Lama S.P.A
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT"$444,715.00 ""US: provide the temperature range, cycle time between temperature ranges, and if a cooling unit is included with the unit, provide a photograph and the manufacturer's data sheets for this unit; verify that the processing unit is integrated into the piece "29-Dec-00 FranceDiagnostica Stago
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES"$8,253,460.78 "US: provide a list of specific end- use locations.09-Jan-01 SpainHospital Hispania
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL MACHINES"$175,081.14 ""US: Provide specifications for valves including dimensions, weight, type, material composition of all components and linings, maximum pressure, flow rate, minimum inside diameter, actuator response time, and drawing (items #11 and 12 in spare parts list);"17-Jan-01 IndiaAir Pac Exports
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES"$3,277,477.90 ""Not enough information to make final assessment. Provide specifications including the rotation speed and dimensions for the drill motor or turbine (items #1 and #2); Provide specifications for spray nozzles including a diagram, flow rate, droplet size, a"26-Jan-01 GermanyAesculap Ag And Co Kg
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES"$3,988,073.96 ""Provide specifications for the CPU circuit board including processor type, maximum certified clock speed, certified thermal operating range and number of machine cycles per floating point operation (#690 281); itemize the tool set for installation (#690 "29-Jan-01 GermanyMoller-Wedel Gmbh
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES"$914,119.38 ""US: provide the photograph, flow rate, volume, and pore size of the hollow fibers of the oxygenators (items #1 and #3); provide a photograph of the holders of the membrane oxygenators (item 5); "31-Jan-01 DenmarkPolystan A/S
The United StatesOn HoldMEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES"$556,293.47 ""US: Please itemize components and provide specifications including drawings, photographs, and material composition for the bathing trolley and shower system; Please provide specifications for all valves including dimensions, weight, type, material composi"15-Feb-01 FranceCercomex Sarl