Collective Security
The overall structure of the Security Council and also the idea of permanent membership are of- ten questioned – both by the public and mem- ber States themselves. In addition, the Council is criticized for its inability to act in a decisive and ef- fective manner when confronted with situations affecting international security. Similar to the League of Nations, as a result of the decisions of the Security Council, the history of the United Nations is one of numerous successes and fail- ures – especially regarding situations concerning collective security.
Notwithstanding current limitations and chal- lenges of the United Nations, there are examples whereby collective security is exemplified - most notable being the United Nations’ response to Iraq’s invasion into Kuwait in 1990. The response to this world-affecting conflict provides an excel- lent example of a modern-day attempt at collec- tively securing humanity.
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United Nations’ Response to Iraq’s Invasion Into Kuwait
To date, the most successful example of collec- tive security occurred during the Gulf War (1990- 1991), in which a coalition of forces worked to liberate Kuwait from the Iraqi military forces. Fol- lowing Iraqi allegations that Kuwait was illegally slant-drilling petroleum from Iraq on the Iraqi/ Kuwaiti border, Iraqi forces under the command of Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Despite Iraqi efforts to justify the invasion, the UN de- nounced the incursion and called for an immedi- ate withdrawal of troops. Upon Iraq’s failure to comply with the Security Council, representative coalition forces launched air attacks and ground forces. Within a month and half, Iraq formally re- treated.
In addition to the Security Council’s unanimous condemnation of Iraq’s invasion, numerous leagues and intergovernmental alliances around the world denounced Iraq’s actions. One such example, the Arab League Council, condemned
the invasion on the following day calling for Iraq’s withdrawal.
The events during the Gulf War and the measures taken by the United Nations indicated a devel- opment in the application of collective security. Several notable examples of Member States’ re- sponses to the Iraqi invasion included:
China – although abstaining from the voting of Resolution 678 (1990), China committed to impose an arms embargo against Iraq.
Cuba – agreed to abide by United Nations sanctions against Iraq despite abstaining from voting for resolutions 661 (1990), 665 (1990), 666 (1990), 674 (1990) and voting against Resolutions 670 (1990) and 678 (1990).
Iran – rejected the annexation attempt by Iraq and committed to increase its oil production to offset member states’ losses.
Switzerland – placed an oil and arms em- bargo, froze assets and restricted other trade. This is the first time that Switzer- land has ever associated itself with UN imposed economic sanctions.
Yemen – a member of the UN Security Council during the Gulf War, did not par- ticipate in the voting of Resolution 660 (1990), abstained in the voting of Resolu- tions 661 (1990), 665 (1990), 666 (1990), 674 (1990), and voted against the “use of force” Resolution 678 (1990). Although a close ally of Iraq, it stated that it would comply with UN economic sanctions against Iraq.
The Collective: Defined
It is clear that the notion of collective security has evolved in the last several hundred years with the complementary beliefs and philosophies of the
ILSA Quarterly » volume 20 » issue 3 » February 2012
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