March 2003
Phone Conversation Between Blair and Chirac - March 30, 2003
Jacques Chirac and Tony Blair discussed their differing views on the Iraq war in a phone call, expressing a desire to collaborate on reconstruction efforts…
Iraq Rejects New UN Security Council Resolution - 2003-03-29
Iraq has rejected a new UN Security Council resolution aimed at reviving its food program under UN supervision. Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan labeled the…
Phone Conversation Between French and British Leaders - March 29, 2003
French President Jacques Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair discussed their cooperation in Iraq's post-war reconstruction during a phone call. They emphasized the importance…
Germany to Double Humanitarian Aid to Iraq
Germany is increasing its humanitarian aid to Iraq from $43 million to $86 million following the U.S. invasion that led to the ousting of Saddam…
The U.S. Will Cover the Costs of Special Decontamination Units Sent by Ukraine to the War in Iraq - 2003-03-29
The U.S. has agreed to pay for Ukrainian decontamination units being sent to Iraq, marking a thaw in relations after previous tensions over arms sales.…
Following the Withdrawal of Iraqi Soldiers from the Oil-rich City of Kirkuk, Kurdish Armed Forces Headed Towards the City - 2003-03-29
Kurdish armed forces are moving towards Kirkuk after Iraqi soldiers withdrew from the oil-rich city. Coalition forces bombarded Baghdad, resulting in significant casualties. The situation…
The U.S. Opposes Iraqi Exiles' Plans for a Transitional Government Ahead of the Overthrow of Saddam Hussein - 2003-03-28
The U.S. has expressed its disapproval of Iraqi exiles' plans to form a transitional government before Saddam Hussein's overthrow. The U.S. aims to manage post-Saddam…
UN Requests Over Two Billion Dollars in Aid from Countries Worldwide
The UN is requesting over two billion dollars in humanitarian aid for Iraq, marking a significant effort in response to the country's dire situation. The…
US and British Warplanes Intensify Bombing of Baghdad - March 28, 2003
On March 28, 2003, US and British warplanes intensified their bombing of Baghdad as coalition ground forces prepared to enter the city. Iraq reported civilian…
Report by Nazi Baghlari: Humanitarian Aid to Iraq - 2003-03-28
Humanitarian aid to Iraq is under consideration in Europe and the UN, as reported by Nazi Baghlari. This is significant as it highlights international efforts…
United States Plans for Post-War Governance in Iraq - 2003-03-27
The U.S. plans to establish a military government in Iraq immediately after the war, transitioning to a civilian government while the UN coordinates efforts for…
Hans Blix expresses relief that no weapons of mass destruction were used in the first week of the war - 2003-03-27
Hans Blix, head of the UN weapons inspection team, expressed relief that no weapons of mass destruction were used in the first week of the…
Private Meeting Between President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair - 2003-03-27
President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair held a private meeting to discuss the Iraq war and post-war management, emphasizing the need for UN involvement.…
The First Major Humanitarian Aid Convoy Arrived in Southern Iraq Today - 2003-03-26
The first major humanitarian aid convoy has reached southern Iraq amidst ongoing conflict. Coalition forces are working to facilitate more aid deliveries while the Iraqi…
Coalition Commanders Say British Forces Have Secured the Port City of Umm Qasr in Southern Iraq - 2003-03-26
Coalition commanders report that British forces have secured Umm Qasr, facilitating humanitarian aid to Iraqis in need. The UN is seeking over a billion dollars…
Distribution of Humanitarian Aid Among the People of Iraq After Mine Clearance - 2003-03-26
British forces have secured the port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq, allowing for the distribution of much-needed humanitarian aid. The UN is seeking over…
British Forces Strive to Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Basra - 2003-03-25
British forces are working to secure Basra to distribute humanitarian aid as the city faces severe shortages of electricity and water due to ongoing conflict.…
Kofi Annan: Residents of Basra May Face a Humanitarian Catastrophe - 2003-03-24
Kofi Annan warns that the residents of Basra could face a humanitarian disaster due to the ongoing military operations by U.S.-led coalition forces. He emphasizes…
Coalition Forces Reach 160 Kilometers from Baghdad - 2003-03-23
Coalition forces have advanced to within 160 kilometers of Baghdad but encountered Iraqi resistance in several areas. Airstrikes on Baghdad have intensified, and humanitarian needs…
Why Did UN Diplomacy Fail Regarding Iraq?
The article discusses the failure of UN diplomacy regarding Iraq, primarily due to disagreements among Security Council members over the implementation of Resolution 1441. Key…
Report by Nazi Baghlari: Interview with a UN Official on Refugees - 2003-03-22
The article discusses predictions from the UN and aid organizations about the potential humanitarian crisis resulting from the Iraq war, comparing it to the Gulf…
North Korea Delays Talks with South Korea
North Korea has postponed upcoming talks with South Korea, blaming the latter for military readiness amid the Iraq war. This situation arises during joint military…
Sudden Exodus and Influx of Iraqi Kurds from Cities to Surrounding Villages - 2003-03-22
Around 450,000 Iraqi Kurds have fled from cities in northern Iraq to nearby villages due to bombings and attacks. The United Nations reports that most…
Jacques Chirac: Opposes Any Resolution Allowing the United States and Britain to Govern Post-War Iraq - 2003-03-21
French President Jacques Chirac opposes any UN resolution that would allow the U.S. and Britain to govern Iraq after the war, arguing it would justify…
South African President Expresses Regret Over Start of Iraq War - 2003-03-20
South African President Thabo Mbeki expressed regret over the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, emphasizing that disarmament should have been handled by the UN. This sentiment…
Afghanistan Supports Use of Force for Disarming Iraq
Afghanistan has expressed its support for military action to disarm Iraq, citing Iraq's non-compliance with UN demands. The Afghan government emphasizes the importance of democratic…
Egyptian President: Iraq Has Committed Multiple Mistakes
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak criticized Iraq for its past mistakes, particularly its 1990 invasion of Kuwait, which he claims has led to regional instability. He…
Tony Blair: The Removal of Saddam Hussein is the Number One Priority - 2003-03-19
Tony Blair emphasized the removal of Saddam Hussein as a top priority for nations seeking to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. He indicated that…
The Departure of United Nations Weapons Inspectors from Iraq Has Begun - 2003-03-18
The UN weapons inspectors have begun their departure from Iraq amid rising tensions. Kofi Annan ordered all UN staff to leave and suspended the 'Oil…
Jacques Chirac: 30-Day Deadline for Iraq Disarmament - 2003-03-17
French President Jacques Chirac proposed a 30-day deadline for Iraq to disarm, contingent on approval from UN inspectors. This statement comes ahead of a summit…
Most Helicopters Used by UN Weapons Inspectors Flew Abroad Today - 2003-03-16
Iraq announced that most helicopters used by UN weapons inspectors have left the country due to insurance issues related to war risks. President Saddam Hussein…
Iraq's Report to the United Nations on the Destruction of Its Deadly VX Gas Stockpiles - 2003-03-14
Iraq is submitting a report to the UN about the destruction of its VX gas stockpiles, claiming they were eliminated in 1991. Iraqi officials have…
President Bush, Tony Blair, and Jose Maria Aznar Hold Tripartite Summit - 2003-03-14
President Bush, along with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, is set to meet to discuss a resolution regarding…
Britain and 6 Conditions for Disarming Iraq - 2003-03-13
Britain has proposed six conditions for Iraq's disarmament to resolve a deadlock at the UN regarding a potential war. Key conditions include a confession from…
Iraq Displays Its Drone to Counter Colin Powell's Claims
Iraq has publicly displayed a drone to refute U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's assertions that Iraqi drones could spread chemical weapons. Iraqi officials claim…
The U.S. Temporarily Halts U-2 Flights Over Iraq - 2003-03-12
The U.S. has temporarily suspended U-2 reconnaissance flights over Iraq after an encounter with Iraqi fighter jets. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld noted there was no direct…
Iraq Threatens Two U.S. U-2 Spy Planes - 2003-03-11
Iraqi fighter jets threatened two U.S. U-2 reconnaissance planes, forcing their return during a mission supporting UN weapons inspectors. This incident highlights ongoing tensions in…
Neighboring Countries of Iraq Must Be Prepared to Accept Iraqi Refugees
The UN refugee agency's head has urged neighboring countries of Iraq to either accept Iraqi refugees or provide aid at their borders. This call comes…
Mohammad ElBaradei: Iraq Must Cooperate with Inspectors Before It's Too Late
Mohammad ElBaradei emphasized the urgent need for Iraq to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors to avoid war. He called for Saddam Hussein to publicly commit…
Kofi Annan Opens Negotiations on the Fate of Divided Cyprus - 2003-03-10
Kofi Annan has initiated negotiations to address the division of Cyprus, involving leaders from both the Turkish and Greek communities. The discussions are crucial as…
Mohammad ElBaradei Urges Iraq to Take Decisive and Significant Actions to Avoid War - 2003-03-10
Mohammad ElBaradei called on Iraq to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors to avoid war, suggesting a televised commitment from Saddam Hussein. The situation is escalating,…
Chilean President: The March 17 Deadline for Disarming Iraq is Short - 2003-03-09
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos expressed concerns about the short deadline of March 17 for disarming Iraq, suggesting that more time is needed for UN inspectors…
The Lack of Expansion of Peacekeeping Forces is a Major Factor in the Lack of Security in Afghanistan
A UN human rights expert highlights that the insufficient presence of peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan is a primary reason for ongoing insecurity and human rights…
Iraq Resumes Destruction of Prohibited Al-Samoud Missiles - 2003-03-08
Iraq has resumed destroying prohibited Al-Samoud missiles and President Saddam Hussein is urging the UN to lift sanctions, claiming compliance with disarmament orders. The U.S.…
Rwandan President Says Sometimes Countries Must Act Without UN Approval
Rwandan President Paul Kagame asserts that nations sometimes need to act independently of the UN, citing the failures during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda as…
Large Holes in the Electric Fence Between Kuwait and Iraq - 2003-03-07
UN peacekeepers have reported large holes in the electric fence between Kuwait and Iraq, with U.S. Marines spotted in the demilitarized zone. This raises concerns…
Pope: Decisions Regarding War Must Be Approved by the United Nations
The Pope's special envoy urged President Bush to avoid military action against Iraq, expressing concerns about the potential for war and its consequences. The Pope…
President Bush to Read Statement on Achievements in War Against Terrorism - 2003-03-06
President Bush is set to hold a press conference to discuss achievements in the war against terrorism while the U.S. seeks UN support for military…
Kofi Annan: The Destruction of Iraq's Al-Samoud Missiles is a Positive Development
Kofi Annan announced that the destruction of Iraq's Al-Samoud missiles is a positive step towards peace. The UN Security Council will decide if this action…
Under the Microscope: Proposal for a Public Referendum in Iraq by Kamal Kharrazi - 2003-03-04
Kamal Kharrazi, Iran's Foreign Minister, has proposed a public referendum in Iraq supervised by the UN for the transition of power. This proposal raises questions…
USA: The Overthrow of Saddam is Inevitable in Case of Military Attack - 2003-03-04
The Bush administration asserts that a military attack on Iraq will lead to the inevitable overthrow of Saddam Hussein. This statement comes amid ongoing tensions…
Russia Considers Iraq's Destruction of Al-Samoud Missiles as a Sign of Cooperation with UN Inspectors
Russia views Iraq's destruction of Al-Samoud missiles as a positive sign of cooperation with UN inspectors. This statement comes from Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov,…
Iraq Presents New Report on Anthrax and Lethal VX Gas Stockpiles to UN Inspectors - 2003-03-03
Iraq has agreed to submit a new report to UN inspectors regarding its anthrax and VX gas stockpiles, claiming they were destroyed over a decade…
Jacques Chirac Urges Baghdad to Intensify Cooperation with UN Weapons Inspectors - 2003-03-03
French President Jacques Chirac called on Iraq to enhance its cooperation with UN weapons inspectors while reiterating France's opposition to a US military attack. He…
Iraq: If the U.S. Continues Military Threats, We Will Halt Destruction of Al-Samoud Missiles - 2003-03-03
Iraq has issued a warning to the U.S. regarding its military threats, stating it will halt the destruction of Al-Samoud missiles if the threats continue.…
Iraq Destroys Six More Al-Samoud Missiles - 2003-03-02
Iraq has destroyed six more Al-Samoud missiles as part of its compliance with UN regulations. Amer Al-Saeed, an advisor to Saddam Hussein, emphasized Iraq's cooperation…
Iraq Begins Destruction of Al-Samoud 2 Missiles at Military Facility
Iraq has started destroying banned Al-Samoud 2 missiles to meet a UN deadline, monitored by international inspectors. This action is significant as it reflects Iraq's…