[19991019]RS20363_伊拉克： Erosion of International Isolation.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20363October 19, 1999Iraq: Erosion of International Isolation?Kenneth Katzmanand Alfred PradosSpecialists in Middle Eastern AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryIraq is having some success breaking out of the isolation imposed on it after the1991 Persian Gulf war. Iraq has reemerged as a major oil exporter, and regional andinternational support for continued comprehensive sanctions against Iraq appears to beweakening. The Clinton Administration is trying to keep Iraq diplomatically isolated,but its top priority is to prevent Iraq from reemerging as a strategic threat to the region.This report will be updated in response to regional developments. See CRS Issue Brief92117, Iraqi Compliance With Ceasefire Agreements. IntroductionSince the Gulf war ended in 1991, the U.S. effort to keep Iraq isolated andtherefore weak militarily has depended on broad international cooperation, especiallyin the U.N. Security Council. The policy has succeeded in keeping Iraq strategicallyweak, but at great cost to the economic well being of the Iraqi people. The human