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After years of deadlines, diplomacy and what the U.S. and its allies say is failed disarmament by Iraq, the United States, with the support of Great Britain and Spain, now appears poised to take military action against Iraq for the first time since the Gulf War.
August 1990
Iraqi troops invade and occupy neighboring Kuwait. An international coalition led by the United States threatens to forcibly remove Saddam's forces from Kuwait.
January 1991
After Iraq ignores a U.N. demand to withdraw from Kuwait, the U.S.-led coalition launches air strikes followed by a ground assault that routs the Iraqi forces.
April 1991
Iraq agrees to a cease-fire, accepting U.N. imposed sanctions that will remain in place until the cease-fire's conditions — including an end to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program — are met.
Feb. 24, 1991
The Persian Gulf War ends, liberating Kuwait from Saddam’s forces. Iraq agrees to end weapons of mass destruction programs and submit to U.N. inspections.
1995
Fearing that U.N. sanctions are forcing many Iraqi citizens to do without proper nutrition or medical care, the United Nations initiates an “oil-for-food” program. The program allows Iraq to buy medicine and food using proceeds from oil exports, an enterprise banned under the embargo, to alleviate the humanitarian crisis inside Iraq.
Oct. 29, 1997
American members of the U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM) inspection team are expelled from Iraq, only to return November 20.
Jan. 13, 1998
Iraq temporarily withdraws cooperation, complaining the inspection team has a disproportionate share of U.S. and British members. A week later inspectors are refused access to presidential sites.
1998
In November, the United Nations withdraws its weapons inspectors from Iraq, claiming Saddam has made it impossible for them to verify whether Iraq has chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, as prohibited by the 1991 agreement. In December, U.S. and British forces conduct "Operation Desert Fox," four days of air strikes against Iraqi military and biological, chemical and nuclear weaponry targets.
Feb. 20-23, 1998
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan secures full Iraqi cooperation and access for inspectors.
Oct. 31, 1998
Iraq ceases cooperation with the U.N. Special Commission but allows inspections to resume 14 days later.
Dec. 16, 1998
The U.N. Special Commission removes all staff from Iraq after inspectors conclude Iraq is not fully cooperating.
Dec. 16, 1998
The U.N. Special Commission removes all staff from Iraq after inspectors conclude Iraq is not fully cooperating.
Dec. 17, 1999
The United Nations replaces the U.N. Special Commission with the U.N. Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC). Iraq rejects the resolution.
November 2000
Iraq rejects new weapons inspections proposals.
Jan. 29, 2002
In his first State of the Union address, President George W. Bush says that Iraq — as well as Iran and North Korea — are part of an "axis of evil." The comments signal an increase in rhetoric from the White House against Saddam Hussein and in support of U.S. action in Iraq.
Jan.-August 2002
In frequent public appearances over the next several months, top officials in the Bush administration call for a "regime change" and threaten military action if Iraq does not allow unfettered weapons inspections and destroy its weapons of mass destruction arsenal and program. Iraq accuses the United States of lying in order to control Iraq's oil and serve Israel's interests.
Aug. 1, 2002
In a letter from the Iraqi government to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Hans Blix is invited to Iraq for discussions on disarmament issues.
Aug. 6, 2002
Secretary-General Kofi Annan writes to the Iraqis, pointing out that their proposal is at odds with U.N. resolutions and asking that Iraq accept inspections.
Sept. 11, 2002
Terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. kill more than 3,000.
Sept. 12, 2002
In an attempt to build a global coalition for action against Iraq, President Bush pushes for a new U.N. Security Council resolution and for action within weeks but doesn't lay down any deadlines for returning weapons inspectors to the country. President Bush tells the United Nations it must rid the world of Iraq's biological, chemical and nuclear arsenals, and that the United States is prepared to act alone to complete this task if the U.N. membership refuses to do so.
Sept. 16, 2002
Iraq unconditionally accepts the return of U.N. weapons inspectors.
Oct.16, 2002
Bush signs resolution approved by Congress authorizing him to use force against Iraq.
Nov. 8, 2002
U.N. Security Council unanimously passes Resolution 1441 ordering Iraq to disarm and provide U.N. inspectors unrestricted access or face "serious consequences." In November, the U.N. Security Council unanimously passes a new resolution demanding that Baghdad allow U.N. arms inspectors unhindered access to any site suspected of producing chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or face "serious consequences."
Nov. 13, 2002
Iraq accepts U.N. resolution. The resolution also requires Baghdad to provide a list of its weapons of mass destruction to the Security Council by December 8. Iraq denies having any weapons of mass destruction and says the resolution is the result of the desire of the United States and Britain to launch military attacks on Iraq.
Nov. 27, 2002
Formal inspections begin, almost a month before the 45-day deadline set by 1441.
Dec. 7, 2002
Iraq delivers a 12,000-page declaration on its weapons program to a U.N. Inspection team one day ahead of deadline. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441 required Iraq to provide a “currently accurate, full and complete declaration” of any weapons of mass destruction.
Dec. 19, 2002
Hans Blix and Mohammed ElBaradei say Iraq's declaration is not a full accounting. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says Iraq "totally failed" to meet U.N. demands.
Jan.27
Blix reports Iraq has not proved it eliminated illegal weapons; ElBaradei finds no evidence of resumption of nuclear program to date.
Jan.28
In his State of the Union address, Bush says "if Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm, we will lead a coalition to disarm him."
Feb. 1
Inspectors report Iraqi cooperation is "merely adequate." France draws U.N. applause for stating there is not yet a justification for war; majority of Security Council want inspections to continue.
Feb. 24
U.S., Britain, and Spain submit resolution stating Saddam has missed the "final opportunity" to disarm peacefully.
March 1
Blix submits report as mandated by Resolution 1284; deadline set by Blix for destruction of Iraq's Al Samoud 2 missiles.
March 7
Britain offers amendment, setting March 17 deadline for Iraq to disarm; China, France and Russia say they'll vote no to any resolution calling on force in Iraq.
March 17
U.S., Britain and Spain withdraw resolution; U.N. orders inspectors to leave Iraq; President Bush gives ultimatum to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to leave the country or face military action.
Submitted March 20, 2003
MALIBU, CA
