[ Crisis in Iraq ]

8 June 2005
Anniversary of UN Security Council passage of Resolution 1546, at which time: the "mandate for the multinational force shall be reviewed" if the Iraqi government has not already requested its termination; the "provisions...for the deposit of proceeds into the Development Fund for Iraq and for the role of the [International Advisory and Monitoring Board] shall be reviewed" if not already requested by the Iraqi government

31 January 2005
Firm target "no later than" which direct democratic elections will be held, under Resolution 1546

31 December 2004
Soft target set out in Resolution 1546 for the holding of direct democratic elections "if possible" to a Transitional National Assembly, which would in turn be responsible for forming a transitional government and drafting a permanent constitution

July 2004
National conference to select a Consultative Council as prescribed in UN Security Council Resolution 1546

28 June 2004
Handover of sovereignty in Baghdad.

16 June 2004
The independent commission investigating the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States issues a report stating there is no credible evidence to show that Hussein's regime collaborated with Al-Qaeda in its attacks on the U.S. The report says that while Iraqi officials met with an Al-Qaeda representative 10 years ago and has had other contacts, Hussein rebuffed his calls for cooperation.

17 May 2004
A suicide car bomb in Baghdad kills the head of Iraq's Governing Council, Abd al-Zahra Uthman Muhammad, a Shi'ite Muslim also known as Izzedin Salim.

11 May 2004
Nick Berg, a U.S. civilian missing since 9 April, is shown in a video on an Islamist website being beheaded. The website says Al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq carried out the killing.

28 April 2004
U.S. television program reports on the abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghurayb prison.

April 2004
U.S. military forces besiege militants at Al-Fallujah for more than three weeks in an effort to put down an anti-U.S. insurgency there.

31 March 2004
A guerrilla ambush on two vehicles in Al-Fallujah kills four American contractors working for the U.S.-led coalition. Their bodies are set ablaze and mutilated.

13 December 2003
U.S. military forces capture former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein during an early evening raid on a farmhouse near his hometown of Al-Tikrit. The former Iraqi leader is found hiding in a tiny, ventilated underground chamber -- later described by U.S. military officials as a "spider hole."

25 August 2003
The International Committee of the Red Cross announces it is cutting back operations in Baghdad after being warned it could also be targeted by a terrorist attack. The number of the foreign Red Cross workers in Baghdad is cut to about 50.

19 August 2003
A suicide bomber detonates an explosives-packed cement truck outside the UN headquarters in Baghdad, killing 23 people and injuring scores of others. Among the dead is UN Special Representative Vieira de Mello.

13 July 2003
The U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council meets for the first time in Baghdad. The 25-member governing council has the power to name ministers and approve the 2004 budget, but chief U.S. civilian administrator for Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, has the last word on Iraqi affairs. The UN special representative to Iraq, Brazilian-born diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello, calls the day "historic," and says the country is "moving back to where it rightfully belongs -- at peace with itself and a member of the community of nations."

22 May 2003
The UN Security Council approves an immediate end to 13 years of economic sanctions on Iraq, dating from the time of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Resolution 1483 effectively grants the U.S.-led coalition control of Iraq until a new Iraqi government can be put in place.

19 March 2003
President George W. Bush addresses the American people at 10:15 p.m. to announce the beginning of a "broad and concerted campaign" to disarm Iraq, called Operation Iraqi Freedom.

17 March 2003
British Ambassador to the UN Jeremy Greenstock tells reporters at the UN that "the cosponsors [of the U.S., U.K. and Spanish draft resolution] will not pursue a vote on the draft resolution. The cosponsors reserve their right to take their own steps to secure the disarmament of Iraq."

16 March 2003
U.S. advises the UN to pull its inspectors out of Iraq. U.S. President George W. Bush -- following a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar, and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose-Manuel Durao-Barroso -- tells a press conference in the Azores, Portugal that 17 March will be "a moment of truth for the world."

15 March 2003
The adviser to President Saddam Hussein, Amr al-Sa'di, sends a letter to UNMOVIC chief Blix and IAEA Director-General al-Baradei, inviting them to meet with Iraqi officials in Baghdad "at the earliest date" to discuss disarmament issues.
Also on 15 March, Iraq's Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) issues a decree stating that Iraq is to be divided into four military command regions.

12 March 2003
British Prime Minister Tony Blair presents to the UN Security Council six new conditions which, if met, would allow Iraq to avoid a U.S.-led strike.

7 March 2003
UNMOVIC and the IAEA present an oral version of the 12th Quarterly Report on Inspections in Iraq. The written report was submitted by UNMOVIC on 28 February. Al-Baradei tells the council that inspections continue to move forward and concludes that, "[a]fter three months of intrusive inspections, we have to date found no evidence or plausible indication of the revival of a nuclear weapons program in Iraq." According to Blix, "It is obvious that, while the numerous initiatives which are now taken by the Iraqi side with a view to resolving some long-standing open disarmament issues, can be seen as 'active', or even 'proactive', these initiatives three or four months into the new resolution cannot be said to constitute 'immediate' cooperation. Nor do they necessarily cover all areas of relevance."

6 March 2003
UNMOVIC releases a 173-page working document titled, "Unresolved Disarmament Issues: Iraq's Proscribed Weapons Programs."

27 February 2003
Iraq agrees "in principle" to comply with UN demands to destroy its stockpile of Al-Sumud 2 missiles.

24 February 2003
The United States, United Kingdom, and Spain present to the UN Security Council a draft resolution on Iraqi disarmament, stating that "Iraq has submitted a declaration pursuant to its Resolution 1441 (2002) containing false statements and omissions and has failed to comply with, and cooperate fully in the implementation of, that resolution." The draft resolution also states that "Iraq has failed to take the final opportunity afforded to it in Resolution 1441 (2002)."
Also on 24 February, France, Germany, and Russia present a memorandum to the UN Security Council calling for increased weapons inspections. The memorandum states that, "[w]hile suspicions remain, no evidence has been given that Iraq still possesses weapons of mass destruction or capabilities in this field," and that "inspections have just reached their full pace; they are functioning without hindrance; they have already produced results."

21 February 2003
UNMOVIC chief Blix sends a letter to Iraqi presidential adviser Lieutenant General Amr al-Sa'di demanding that Iraq destroy its stockpiled Al-Sumud 2 missiles.

17 February 2003
The European Union issues a joint declaration calling on Iraq to fulfill its obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1441 and to disarm peacefully.

14 February 2003
UNMOVIC and the IAEA brief the UN Security Council. UNMOVIC chief Blix tells the council that some progress has been made with Iraq since the council briefing on 27 January, but that more cooperation was needed. Blix further informs the council that experts from UN member states have determined that the Al-Sumud 2 missile is capable of exceeding 150 kilometers -- the maximum range allowed by the UN -- and is thus a proscribed weapon under UN Security Council Resolution 687, from 1991. Blix also notes that UNMOVIC has begun the process of destroying some 50 liters of mustard gas at the Al-Muthanna site. Al-Baradei tells the council that IAEA inspections have entered the "investigative phase," meaning that inspectors are beginning to focus on Iraq's activities in the nuclear field since 1998. Still under investigation, among other things, is the issue of whether Iraq's import of high-strength aluminum tubes were intended to be used for uranium enrichment as well as Iraq's use of 32 tons of HMX.

5 February 2003
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell presents Washington's evidence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and terrorism links to the UN Security Council.

8-9 February 2003
Iraq, during a meeting with UNMOVIC and the IAEA, hands over several papers concerning anthrax, growth material, and the nerve agent VX, but UNMOVIC chief Blix later tells the council (14 February) that these papers do not include any "new evidence."

30 January 2003
Iraqi Presidential Adviser Amr Al-Sa'di invites Blix and al-Baradei to Iraq to discuss "a series of issues related to consolidating cooperation and transparency [between Iraq and] UNMOVIC and the IAEA."

27 January 2003
UNMOVIC and the IAEA give a 60-day-after briefing on inspections in Iraq, as required under Resolution 1441. Al-Baradei tells the UN Security Council that his agency's inspectors have found no evidence that Iraq has restarted its nuclear program, but he adds that inspectors need "a few months" to provide "credible assurance" that Iraq has no such program. Blix says that Iraq is providing cooperation on issues of "process," such as access to sites, but that it has not clarified outstanding issues regarding weapons of mass destruction. Also, the European Union foreign ministers adopt a common position on Iraq in Brussels.

16 January 2003
UN weapons inspectors uncover 12 empty 122-millimeter chemical warheads at the Ukhaidar Ammunition Stores, located 70 kilometers south of Karbala.

9 January 2003
UNMOVIC and the IAEA brief the UN Security Council, stating that the Iraqi declaration is incomplete. Blix cites as examples Iraq's failure to account for weapons known to exist as a result of previous UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) inspections and its failure to provide the names of known Iraqi scientists to the UN. In addition, Blix argues that the Iraqi declaration does not account for, among other things, imports of missile engines, stocks of VX gas, and ingredients for the production of missile fuel and chemical bombs.

30 December 2002
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1454, tightening restrictions on Iraqi imports of antibiotics and communications.

19 December 2002
The UN Security Council meets to discuss the Iraqi declaration. IAEA chief Muhammad al-Baradei says during the meeting, "We still need much more cooperation from Iraq in terms of substance, in terms of providing evidence to exonerate itself that it is clean from weapons of mass destruction."

9 December 2002
U.S. President George W. Bush issues a presidential order providing "up to $92 million in defense articles from the [U.S.] Department of Defense, defense services from the Department of Defense, and military education and training" for Iraqi opposition groups.

7 December 2002
Iraq presents the UN with a 12,000-page declaration of its weapons of mass destruction. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein issues an official apology to Kuwait for Iraq's 1990 invasion of the country.

27 November 2002
UNMOVIC and the IAEA begin inspections in Iraq.

18 November 2002
The heads of UNMOVIC and IAEA visit Baghdad for technical talks.

13 November 2002
Iraq accepts Resolution 1441.

8 November 2002
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1441, establishing an enhanced inspection regime for Iraq's disarmament, to be carried out by UNMOVIC and the IAEA.

17 September 2002
Iraq agrees to allow UN inspectors to return to Iraq.

14 May 2002
UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1409, including a revised Goods Review List for Iraqi imports.

1 June 2001
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1352, revising economic sanctions in order to facilitate the flow of civilian goods into Iraq.

18 April 2001
Iraqi officials meet with the UN to discuss restarting weapons inspections. The talks continued on 1 May.

8 April 2001
Iraq suspends oil production.

1 December 2000
Iraq temporarily halts oil exports in reaction to a UN refusal to grant it control over certain oil reserves.

8 June 2000
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1302, extending the "oil for food" program for a further 180-day period beginning on 9 June 2000. Since Resolution 1302, the Security Council has continued to renew the program.

13 April 2000
The UN Security Council approves the organizational plan for UNMOVIC.

7 April 2000
Blix submits an organizational plan to the UN Security Council.

31 March 2000
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1293, allocating $600 million for Iraq's purchase of oil-related spare parts.

27 January 2000
Hans Blix is appointed the executive chairman of UNMOVIC.

17 December 1999
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1284, stating that the Security Council will not lift sanctions due to Iraq's failure to fully implement relevant council resolutions; establishing the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) to replace UNSCOM; and eliminating the cap on Iraqi oil exports. Iraq does not accept Resolution 1284.

4 October 1999
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1266, allowing a modification of the set amount for Iraqi oil sales.

15 December 1998
UNSCOM reports to the UN Security Council that it is unable to perform its mandate and withdraws its inspectors.

14 November 1998
Iraq permits UNSCOM to return to Iraq.

5 November 1998
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1205, demanding that Iraq resume cooperation with UNSCOM.

31 October 1998
Iraq ends all cooperation with UNSCOM.

9 September 1998
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1194, condemning Iraq's decision of 5 August to suspend cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA, and suspending reviews of sanctions until cooperation is resumed.

19 June 1998
The UN Security Council approves Resolution 1175, authorizing the allocation of $300 million for Iraq to purchase "the necessary parts and equipment to enable Iraq to increase the export of petroleum and petroleum products."

2 March 1998
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1154, commending the efforts of the secretary-general to "secure commitments from the government of Iraq on compliance."

20 February 1998
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1153, expanding Iraq's oil sales to $5.2 billion.

12 November 1997
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1137, imposing a travel ban on Iraqi officials and members of the Iraqi armed forces who contributed to Iraq's noncompliance of UNSCOM inspections.

23 October 1997
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1134, condemning Iraq's continued noncompliance and threatening to impose a travel ban on Iraqi officials.

21 June 1997
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1115, stating Iraq is in "clear and flagrant violations" of resolutions regarding access to sites.

4 June 1997
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1111, declaring that "the provisions of Resolution 986, except those contained in paragraphs 4, 11, and 12, shall remain in force for another period of 180 days."

3 September 1996
Coalition forces expand the southern no-fly zone to the 33rd parallel.

12 June 1996
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1060, deeming Iraq in violation of Resolutions 687, 707, and 715 for denying UNSCOM inspectors full access to sites.

20 May 1996
Iraq agrees to accept UN Security Council Resolution 986.

27 March 1996
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1051, setting an export-monitoring mechanism and review for dual-use goods.

15 April 1995
Iraq rejects UN Security Council Resolution 986.

14 April 1995
UN Security Council adopts Resolution 986, recommending the "Oil-for-Food" formula as "a temporary measure to provide for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people."

10 November 1994
Iraq recognizes the boundaries of the Iraq-Kuwait border as demarcated by the UN.

20 October 1994
Coalition forces establish a no-drive zone in southern Iraq, south of the 32nd parallel.

15 October 1994
UN Security Council adopts Resolution 949, condemning Iraq's deployment of forces toward the Kuwait border.

4 March 1994
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 899, stating that Iraqi citizens are entitled to compensation for a loss of assets resulting from the demarcation of the Iraq-Kuwait border.

26 November 1993
Iraq accepts UN Security Council Resolution 715.

27 May 1993
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 833, demanding that Iraq and Kuwait respect the inviolability of the demarcation of the Iraq-Kuwait border established by the UN.

5 February 1993
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 806, granting the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) the power to take direct action to prevent or rectify violations in the demilitarized zone (DMZ).

2 October 1992
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 778, mandating that Iraqi oil export proceeds be held in a UN-administered escrow account.

27 August 1992
The southern no-fly zone is established by coalition forces below the 32nd parallel.

26 August 1992
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 773, regarding the demarcation of the land boundary between Iraq and Kuwait.

11 October 1991
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 715, approving a system of ongoing monitoring to verify Iraqi compliance and ordering UNSCOM to carry out its responsibilities as outlined in Resolutions 687, 699, and 707, as well as the plan submitted by the UN secretary-general.

19 September 1991
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 712, regarding Iraq's petroleum exports as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 706. Iraq does not accept Resolution 712.

16 August 1991
Iraq states its objection to UN Security Council Resolutions 705 and 707.

15 August 1991
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 707, condemning Iraq for violating UN Security Council Resolution 687 and demanding that Iraq cease its nuclear activities, provide full disclosure of its weapons of mass destruction programs, and allow UNSCOM and IAEA inspectors "immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to any and all areas."

15 August 1991
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 706, authorizing a six-month export of Iraqi petroleum products to pay for humanitarian supplies. Iraq does not accept the resolution.

15 August 1991
UN Security Council adopts Resolution 705, stating that Iraq's Gulf War compensation should not exceed 30 percent of the annual value of Iraqi oil exports.

2 August 1991
UNSCOM begins reconnaissance flights over Iraq.

30 June 1991
UNSCOM begins missile inspections.

17 June 1991
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 700, approving the guidelines to facilitate full international implementation of the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 687.

17 June 1991
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 699, approving a plan submitted by the UN secretary-general on 17 May 1991 to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction.

9 June 1991
UNSCOM begins chemical inspections.

20 May 1991
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 692, establishing the UN Compensation Commission in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 687.

15 May 1991
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) enters Iraq to begin nuclear inspections.

19 April 1991
The UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) is established to enforce the terms of Resolution 687.

6 April 1991
Iraq accepts the terms of Resolution 687.
The United States, United Kingdom, and France begin enforcement of the northern no-fly zone, above the 36th parallel.

5 April 1991
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 688, condemning the oppression of the Iraqi civilian population and calling on Iraq to allow international humanitarian organizations access to all parts of Iraq.