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Because Iraqi compliance was judged to be insufficient, the
sanctions remained in effect throughout the 1990s. Some world
leaders found this troubling, because while Saddam’s regime con-
tinued to enjoy sufficient resources to maintain its hold on power,
ordinary Iraqis suffered terribly. Shortages of food and medicine
caused misery and death. In response to this situation, the United
Nations in 1995 established the oil-for-food program, which per-
mitted Iraq to sell oil under U.N. supervision; most of the profits
were supposed to go to the humanitarian needs of Iraq’s people.
But, by most accounts, the regime managed to divert oil-for-food
money for its own use, and Iraqis continued to suffer. Corruption
was also later uncovered in the United Nations administration of
the program, as well.
I
RAQ AT
W
AR AND
R
EBUILDING
69
UNSCOM inspectors examine l55-mm artillery projectiles capable of carrying mustard gas at a
facility in Fallujah, August 1991. Concern that Saddam Hussein was not fully complying with
the United Nations Security Council relolution to end his WMD programs led to the implemen-
tation of economic sanctions throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.