United Nations Security Council Resolution 1538
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1538, adopted unanimously on April 21, 2004, after expressing concern about the administration and management of the Oil-for-Food Programme
in Iraq
, the Council ordered an inquiry to investigate the matter.
The Security Council expressed its willingness to see an investigation into the allegations that the Iraqi government had evaded the provisions of Resolution 661
(1990) through bribery
, kickbacks, surcharges on sales of oil and illicit payments in regard to purchases of humanitarian goods. Additionally, there were media reports that corruption
and fraud
had occurred during the management and administration of the Programme, established in Resolution 986
(1995). The allegations first appeared in January 2004 in the Iraqi newspaper Al Mada which alleged that 270 former government officials, activists and journalists from 46 countries had profited from the Programme. The Council reaffirmed that illegal activities carried out by any representatives of the United Nations were unacceptable.
The resolution welcomed the establishment of an independent high-level inquiry
into the matter by the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
and stressed the need for full co-operation with the inquiry by the Coalition Provisional Authority
, United Nations officials and personnel, Iraq and all Member States.
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"....
1538, adopted unanimously on April 21, 2004, after expressing concern about the administration and management of 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...
in 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....
, the Council ordered an inquiry to investigate the matter.
The Security Council expressed its willingness to see an investigation into the allegations that the Iraqi government had evaded the provisions of Resolution 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) through bribery
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
, kickbacks, surcharges on sales of oil and illicit payments in regard to purchases of humanitarian goods. Additionally, there were media reports that corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
had occurred during the management and administration of the Programme, established in 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...
(1995). The allegations first appeared in January 2004 in the Iraqi newspaper Al Mada which alleged that 270 former government officials, activists and journalists from 46 countries had profited from the Programme. The Council reaffirmed that illegal activities carried out by any representatives of the United Nations were unacceptable.
The resolution welcomed the establishment of an independent high-level inquiry
Paul Volcker Committee
The Paul Volcker Committee was formed to investigate alleged corruption and fraud in the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq....
into the matter by the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
and stressed the need for full co-operation with the inquiry by the Coalition Provisional Authority
Coalition Provisional Authority
The Coalition Provisional Authority was established as a transitional government following the invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies, members of the Multi-National Force – Iraq which was formed to oust the government of Saddam Hussein in 2003...
, United Nations officials and personnel, Iraq and all Member States.
See also
- 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...
- Invasion of KuwaitInvasion of KuwaitThe 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...
- Iraq sanctionsIraq sanctionsThe Iraq sanctions were a near-total financial and trade embargo imposed by the United Nations Security Council on the nation of Iraq. They began August 6, 1990, four days after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, stayed largely in force until May 2003 , and certain portions including reparations to Kuwait...
- Iraq War
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1501 to 1600 (2003 – 2005)
- Oil-for-Food Program HearingsOil-for-Food Program HearingsThe Oil-for-Food Program Hearings were held by the U.S Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations beginning in 2004 ostensibly in order to investigate abuses of the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme in which the economically sanctioned country of Iraq was intended to be able to sell...