On Aug. 6, 1990, the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 661, imposing economic sanctions on Iraq. It includes a full trade embargo on Iraq, except for medical supplies, food and other items of humanitarian need, as determined by the Security Council sanctions committee.

The sanctions, amended several times since 1990, remain in force. The United States has maintained its own sanctions against Iraq since Aug. 2, 1990, after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, leading to the Persian Gulf War.

Larry Johnson, the Post-Intelligencer's foreign desk editor, and Post-Intelligencer photographer Dan DeLong spent two weeks in Baghdad, Iraq, during April 1999. They accompanied a 22-member delegation of medical workers and others, sponsored by the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, who attempted to gauge the effect of sanctions on Iraqi citizens, especially children.

The medical group, in part to call attention to the effects of the sanctions, intentionally defied them. Visiting Iraq is in itself a violation of the sanctions. The group also brought medicine, equipment and medical textbooks without obtaining the required U.N. approval. They also did not obtain a required U.S. government permit to travel to Iraq.

The Post-Intelligencer's Johnson and DeLong, as journalists, were exempt from State Department regulations prohibiting travel to Iraq by Americans.

The people

For the Iraqi people, the sanctions have created a spiral of misery and hardship.

Daily life

Despite its daily struggles, Baghdad finds time to worship, laugh and love.

The delegates

Trip to Baghdad was "right 'thing to do'" for delegation of medical workers.

Local impact from sanctions

The long reach of sanctions can be felt in a trade-dependent state like Washington.

An historical perspective

U.S. sanctions haven't been very effective in achieving their goals.

A push for change

With much at stake, U.S. businesses push government to reform sanctions policy.

Gallery

Showcasing Dan DeLong's images of life in today's Iraq.

Background information

• Iraq facts
• Timeline of key events since the invasion of Kuwait
• Effects of the sanctions
• U.N. Security Council Resolution 986

For reprints of this section, contact Katherine White at 206-448-8066 or katherinewhite@seattle-pi.com

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FOLLOWUP
Larry Johnson returned to Iraq in fall 2002 to see how the population has fared since the original report. See what he found.
IN THIS SECTION
· Introduction · The people · Daily life · The delegates · Local impact · History of sanctions · A push for change · Iraq facts · Timeline · Effects of sanctions · Security Council   Resolution 986 · Gallery