Global Policy Forum

Civilian Flights to Iraq

Those seeking an end to Iraq sanctions have organized civilian flights in contravention of the sanctions of the sanctions prohibitions. Such flights came to symbolize crumbling international support for the sanctions, stirring hope that the sanctions might be lifted.


Americans Fly to Iraq (January 13, 2001)

For the first time in ten years, a group of US civilians flies to Iraq. Iraqis receive them warmly, perceiving their visit as an important step toward the erosion of sanctions. (Associated Press)

Saddam Condemns UN Security Council Members for Inaction (December 23, 2000)

A Chinese government delegation flies to Iraq, and is told by Saddam Hussein that the US and UK violate Security Council resolutions almost daily by bombing Iraq. (Associated Press)

Several Airlines Prepare to Resume Flights to Iraq (December 17, 2000)

Five more countries are to make regular flights to Baghdad, and with the â€˜air embargo' in shambles, diplomats say that the Security Council is attempting to draft a formula that would explicitly allow more flights to Iraq. (Reuters)

Will the US Allow its Nationals to Fly to Baghdad? (December 2, 2000)

American anti-sanctions NGO Conscience International plans to fly from the US to Iraq, hoping to avoid reprimand by stopping in Jordan on the way. What will the American authorities say? (Arabia Online)

Jordanian Jet on Landmark Iraq Trip (December 1, 2000)

Jordan resumed humanitarian flights to Iraq in September, and has now sent a flight to Baghdad with commercial passengers for the first time in ten years. The UN sanctions committee was informed of the flight. (BBC)

Sanctions on Iraq 'Could Go in Six Months' (November 20, 2000)

The British Foreign Office moderates the "tone" of its position on Iraq, though the substance remains the same. Meanwhile, at the UN, the UK is talking to France and Russia about the creation of a system allowing regular flights to Iraq to resume. (Times of London)

Bulgarian Politicians Land In Baghdad (November 19, 2000)

Bulgaria re-joins relations to Baghdad with its first flight to Iraq. (Reuters)

How a Flight from Kent Sneaked into Iraq (November 12, 2000)

The UK Foreign Office admits that it had no power to stop the recent UK-Iraq flight, since its original destination was Bulgaria. The Bulgarian foreign minister had promised the flight's organizers that they would be allowed to proceed to Iraq. (Independent)

Trip to Baghdad Flies in Face of UN Sanctions (November 11, 2000)

A British MP helps to organize a flight from the UK to Baghdad, the first â€˜unauthorized' British flight to land in Iraq since the Gulf War, and a significant embarrassment for the British government.(Independent)

Jordan Gives Iraq Diplomatic Boost (November 1, 2000)

The Jordanian Prime Minister flies to Iraq, as representatives from more than forty countries (according to Iraq) arrive in Baghdad for its international trade fair, violating UN sanctionsâ€”at least from the perspective of the US and UK. (BBC)

Fourth Syrian Plane Lands in Baghdad, Defying US Criticism (October 26, 2000)

As "a large majority" of Arab countries call for an end to the Iraq sanctions, flights continue to land in Iraq. (Deutsche Presse-Agentur)

UN Says Only Three Iraq Flights Not Approved (October 19, 2000)

A sanctions committee spokesman denies that there have been systematic contraventions of the Security Council "air embargo," claiming that almost all flights were authorized. (United Press International)

Saddam Makes Most of Rival's Publicity Disaster (October 16, 2000)

The shattering of the debatable â€˜air embargo' is seen as a strengthening of global disquiet with the sanctions against Iraq. As well, smooth handling of a hijacking incident in Baghdad further boosts the spirits of the Iraqi regime. (Times (London))

Iraq Sanctions Panel Chief Says It Still Has Authority (October 5, 2000)

The current chairman of the Iraq sanctions committee said that recent flights to Iraq have not broken the panel's authority, but there are concerns over Russia's and France's recent flights without authorization. The Committee has agreed to reconsider how flights to Iraq are handled. (United Press International)

US Battles to Enforce Iraq Sanctions (September 26, 2000)

Several council members say that sanctions have lost their edge. Dispute has boiled in official legal papers being circulated among the members of the Council and the US accused France outright of violating sanctions, but France has received support from others. The Council is deeply divided over the issue. (Deutsche Presse-Agentur)

New Sanctions-busting Flights to Strike Blows Against Iraqi Embargo (September 26, 2000)

The Arab states are now joining in "sanctions-busting" with Jordan sending a flight with several ministers on board to Iraq and Turkey indicating an upgrade of diplomatic representation in Baghdad to ambassadorial level. (Deutsche Presse-Agentur)

Iraq: Foreign Flights to Baghdad to be Resumed (September 24, 2000)

Following the landing of Russian and French aircraft and the announcement of a number of Arab airlines that they intended to operate flights to Iraq, international questioning brings the continuance of UN and bilateral UK-US sanctions under even heavier scrutiny. ('Al-Zawra', Baghdad/BBC)

Russian Plane Arrives at a Suddenly Busy Airport in Baghdad (September 24, 2000)

Mr. Hashemi, a senior Iraqi official, says that the Russian flight into Baghdad - with others to come - indicate that nations are distancing themselves from US and UK interpretations of sanctions against Iraq. (New York Times)

French Aid Mission Defies Iraq Embargo (September 23, 2000)

The UK newspaper Guardian claims that a "shadowy" French charitable organization flew to Iraq violating the UN embargo, invoking political symbolism in showing a different interpretation to the UK and US in regards to flight sanctions against Iraq.


