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Iraq, key events and documents

Iraq war; political developments; diplomacy before the war; weapons inspections & the U.N. Security Council

US seeks 'time horizon' on Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7514482.stm

7/18/08, BBC: Iraq and the US called for an agreement on a "general time horizon" for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. Although there is no timetable or timeframe it was the first acknowldegement from the Bush administration that US troops will eventually leave.
Iraq's Prime gives Mehdi Army 72 hours to lay down their arms: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7314904.stm

3/26/08, BBC: Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki gave Shia militants in the southern city of Basra 72 hours to lay down their arms or face "severe penalties". He issued the threat on the second day of a government offensive against militias.
UK troops return Basra to Iraqis: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7146507.stm

12/17/07, BBC: British troops transferred control of Basra province to the Iraqi authorities, four-and-a-half years after the invasion. Basra is the ninth of Iraq's 18 provinces to resume responsibility for its own security.
Turkish parliament backs attacks in Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7049348.stm

10/18/07, BBC: Turkey's parliament voted 507 to 19 to allow the government to launch military operations into Iraq in pursuit of Kurdish rebels.
General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker testify about the "surge.": http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6986461.stm

9/1/07, BBC: General Petraeus, the top US military commander in Iraq, told the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees that the military objectives of the US troop surge in Iraq "are largely being met" and that troop levels can be brought down to the level before the surge by mid-2008. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker said that while there has not been as much political progress he believed it was possible for the US to see its goals achieved in Iraq. Other reports on Iraq to Congress
Iraq's Cabinet approved draft oil law.: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6399257.stm

2/27/07, BBC: Iraq's cabinet approved a draft oil law which aims to equitably share revenues from its oil revenues among the country's ethnic groups. The bill - allocating oil revenues between Iraq's 18 provinces based on their population levels - must now be submitted to parliament for a vote.
House dissapproves Bush's new strategy: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6370701.stm

2/17/07, BBC: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a nonbinding resolution "disapproving of the decision of the president announced on 10 January 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq."Text of the Resolution
Bush announces new "strategy" on Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6250625.stm

1/11/07, BBC: President Bush announces a surge of 21,500 extra troops to Iraq with the authority to clear and secure any neighborhood. Strategy at a glance
Saddam executed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6219861.stm

12/30/06, BBC: Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging.
Iraq Study Group report released: http://www.usip.org/isg/

12/6/2006: The bipartisan Iraq Study Group released its report with recommendations for policy shifts regarding Iraq. It called the situation in Iraq "grave and deteriorating." Full text of the report
Robert Gates confirmed as Secretary of Defense: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6215958.stm

12/6/06, BBC: Robert Gates was confirmed as the next US defence secretary, replacing Donald Rumsfeld who quit after the election amid criticism of his Iraq policy.
Senate Intelligence Committee report on Iraq's WMD and links to terrorism: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5329350.stm

9/11/06, BBC: The Senate Intelligence Committee found no evidence of links between the regime of Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda. And "post-war findings do not support the 2002 National Intelligence Estimate judgment that Iraq was reconstituting its nuclear weapons program." Full text from the U.S. Senate: "Postwar findings about Iraq's WMD programs and links to terrorism and how they compare with prewar assessments."
Zarqawi killed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5058304.stm

6/8/06, BBC: Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. air strike.
Iraqi Defense and Interior Ministers approved: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5060686.stm

6/8/06, BBC: The Iraqi parliament has approved Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's nominees for the key government posts of defense and interior ministers, thus completing the government after weeks of delay.
Iraqi parliament approves Cabinet: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5000016.stm

5/20/06, BBC: The Iraqi Parliament approved Prime Minister Maliki's cabinet after a five month delay; thus forming the first full-term government since the 2003 invasion, based on the 12/15/2005 election. The defense and interior ministers post remained unfilled.
Single government for Iraqi Kurds: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4982546.stm

7/7/06, BBC: The parliament in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq has approved a single administration, uniting two separate rival administrations in two regions that duplicated everything.
Maliki endorsed as new Iraqi PM: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4933026.stm

4/22/06, BBC: The current premier, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, bowed out and cleared the way for the Parliament to nominate a fellow Shia politician, Jawad al-Maliki, to be the next Prime Minister and form a government within 30 days.
Pentagon report on Iraqi thinking: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4837276.stm

3/25/06, BBC: The U. S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) Iraqi Perspectives Project - aims to help US officials understand in hindsight how the Iraqi military prepared for and fought during the invasion. The Pentagon report.
Danger of civil war increased.: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4741616.stm

2/23/06, BBC: The destruction of the al-Askari shrine takes the danger of a civil war in Iraq to a new level.
Iraq parliamentary election results announced: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4630518.stm

1/20/06, BBC: The Shia led United Iraqi Alliance won 128 of 275 seats in the Council of Representatives, 10 short of a majority. Kurdish parties took 53 seats and the main Sunni bloc took 44. The process of forming the first government based on the new Iraqi constitution began.
Iraq holds election based on new constitution: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4534260.stm

12/15/2005, BBC: An estimated 70% of Iraqi voters cast votes for the new national assembly that will replace the transitional government elected in January, 2005. It was held largely without violence.
Iraq voters back new constitution: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4374822.stm

10/25/05, BBC: Iraq passed their country's new constitution with 78% of voters backing the charter and 21% opposed. Only two provinces voted against it by over a 2/3 majority. Two-thirds of the vote in at least three provinces was needed to block the constitution.
Full text of Iraqi Constitution: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/12/AR2005101201450.html

10/12/05, Washington Post: The full text of the draft constitution that was voted on by Iraqis in 10/15/05 referendum.
Ibrahim Jaafari named Iraq's Prime Minister: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4420971.stm

4/7/05, BBC: Iraqi Shia leader Ibrahim Jaafari was named Prime Minister of the country's interim government by Iraq's President, Jalal Talabani, who is Kurdish. The transitional government's main task will be to oversee the drafting of a permanent Iraqi constitution and to pave the way for elections in December.
Shia majority for Iraq parliament: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4273931.stm

2/17/05, BBC: The Shia United Iraqi Alliance party won a majority of seats in the 30 January election for Iraq's new transitional National Assembly with 48% of the vote. It was allocated 140 of the 275 seats. The Kurdish parties got 75 seats and interim PM Iyad Allawi's party got 40 seats.
Iraq votes for new government and constitutional assembly: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4219569.stm

1/30/05, BBC: Iraqi's voted for seats in the transitional assembly, which will choose a presidency council to select a prime minister and draft a new Iraqi constitution ahead of planned December, 2005 elections for a full-term parliament. Q&A: Iraqi election .
Iraqi Shias unveil election coalition: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4082435.stm

12/9/04, BBC: Iraq's majority Shia community, backed by leading Shia cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani, announced a broad-based coalition of 22 political parties to run in national elections in January, 2005. The coalition, presented a list of 228 candidates under the United Iraqi Alliance banner, including members of the Daawa party, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution and the Iraqi National Congress as well as Sunnis, Yazidis, and Shia Kurds. It excludes Moqtada Sadr's party because it had not registered.
DCI Special Advisor Report on Iraq's WMD: https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/iraq_wmd_2004/index.html

September 2004: The findings of the Special Advisor to the Director of Central Intelligence on Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Moqtada Sadr's militia leaves Najaf shrines: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3603730.stm

8/27/04, BBC: Iraq's top Shia leader, Ayatollah Ali Sistani mediated a deal for Shia rebels to leave the Iraqi city's Imam Ali mosque and for US forces to pull back. It was agreed that 1) armed elements' in Najaf and Kufa give up weapons; 2) Iraqi police take control in the two cities; 3) foreign forces withdraw; 4) the Iraqi government pay compensation to those who suffered in crisis; 5) and there will be a census and political process leading up to general elections.
Iraqi national assembly approved: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3578166.stm

8/18/04, BBC: The new assembly, known as the National Council, will be able to veto legislation with a two-thirds majority; approve the 2005 budget; and appoint a new prime minister or president, should either resign or die in office. It will also oversee the government and pave the way for elections in January 2005.
Senate report on pre-war intelligence on Iraq: http://intelligence.senate.gov/108301.pdf

Originally published 7/7/04, U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence "Report on the U.S. Intelligence Community's Prewar Intelligence Assessments on Iraq."
US hands back power in Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3845517.stm

6/28/04, BBC: The US formally transferred sovereignty in Iraq, two days ahead of schedule. At a low-key ceremony in Baghdad, US administrator Paul Bremer transferred power to an Iraqi judge who later swore in Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and his cabinet. Bremer left the country by plane shortly after.
UN resolution on handover of Iraqi sovereignty: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3788607.stm

6/8/04, BBC: UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1546 that looks "forward to the end of the occupation and the assumption of full responsibility and authority by a fully sovereign and independent Interim Government of Iraq by 30 June 2004." Key points and full text of the resolution and the annexed letters from Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi & US Secretary of State Powell on military cooperation.
Iraq militias agreed to disband: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3782787.stm

6/7/04, BBC: Iraq's new Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, reached a deal to disband militias that opposed Saddam Hussein and have not been fighting the U.S. led multinational force. The pact does not cover the Mehdi Army militia loyal to radical cleric Moqtada Sadr. About 100,000 fighters agreed to either join the security forces or return to civilian life. Nine political factions - most of them represented in Mr Allawi's interim cabinet - agreed to disband their associated militias by January 2005, when elections are due.
Iraq's interim cabinet sworn in: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3766395.stm

6/1/04, BBC: Iraq's new interim government was sworn in at a ceremony in Baghdad, to begin the task of preparing the country for elections in January, 2005. It began taking up its powers at once, after a surprise decision by the Governing Council to dissolve itself with immediate effect. Ghazi Yawer was selected as President and Iyad Allawi as Prime Minister. Full cabinet list.
Coalition troops indicate willingness to quit Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3716519.stm

5/14/04, BBC: The US, UK, Italy and Japan say they will pull their troops out of Iraq if asked by a new Iraqi government to be appointed by the UN by June 30.
Report on US abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3684825.stm

5/5/04, BBC: After pictures apparently showing the abuse and sexual humiliation of Iraqi prisoners were published in the US media, a report by General Taguba into allegations of abuse of prisoners by US forces was released. Includes a link to the full text of the report.
Negroponte named Iraq ambassador: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3640675.stm

4/19/04, BBC: John Negroponte, the current American ambassador to the UN is expected to take over in Baghdad when the US hands power to an interim Iraqi government by 30 June.
Spain orders Iraq troops home: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3637523.stm

4/18/04, BBC: Spain's new prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has given orders for Spanish troops in Iraq to be brought home in "as short a time as possible," saying that "it is not foreseeable that the United Nations will adopt a resolution" that satisfies Spain's terms."
UN proposes Iraq caretaker government: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3632585.stm

4/16/04, BBC: UN envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, proposed that the UN appoint a caretaker government to take over from the Coalition Provisional Authority at the end of June, 2004.
US troops to stay longer in Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3630433.stm

4/15/04, BBC: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced some 20,000 US troops serving in Iraq will have their tour of duty extended.
Moqtada Sadr's Shia militia attacks coalition forces: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3599381.stm

4/5/04, BBC: The beginning of the first large-scale Shia violent resistance to US-led occupying forces in Iraq, led by followers of a radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr.
Iraqis sign interim constitution: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3541875.stm

3/8/04, BBC: After a three day delay caused by Shia objections, Iraq's US-appointed Governing Council signed an interim constitution which is planned to take effect after the U.S. led Coalition Provisional Authority hands sovereignty over to the Iraqis on June 30. Full text from the Coalition Provisional Authority.
BBC Summary of text: Iraqi interim constitution.
Executive Summary from the Coalition Provisional Authority.
UN advise on Iraq elections: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3515073.stm

2/23/04, BBC: U N Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Iraq could have elections within the year - if Iraqis can agree on how they should be held.
UN rules out June Iraq elections: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3504335.stm

2/19/04, BBC: The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said that direct elections in Iraq are not feasible before 30 June 2004. He said the transfer of power from the United States to an interim Iraqi administration should go ahead as planned by the end of June.
Bush orders intelligence review: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3450151.stm

2/2/04, BBC: US President George W Bush announced an inquiry into pre-war intelligence that said Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. Bush told reporters that he will appoint an "independent, bipartisan" panel, which is not expected to report before the presidential election in November 2004.
US chief Iraq arms expert quits: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3425429.stm

1/24/04, BBC: The head of the team searching for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, David Kay, has resigned, saying that he did not believe Iraq possessed large stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons.

Saddam Hussein arrested: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3317429.stm

12/14/03, BBC: Saddam Hussein arrested by U.S. forces near Tikrit, Iraq. Text of Ambassador Bremer's announcement."We got him!" From the U.S. appointed administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Text of President Bush's address."The capture of this man was crucial to the rise of a free Iraq."
Iraqi transitional government by June 2004: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3272721.stm

11/15/03 BBC: The US-led coalition in Iraq intends to end the occupation and hand over power to a transitional government by June 2004. The proposed transitional body is to prepare for a full sovereign Iraqi government by 2005, following a general election.
"Bush demands mid-east democracy": http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3248119.stm

11/6/03 BBC: President Bush's major speech on democracy and freedom in Iraq and the Middle East to the National Endowment for Democracy. "The establishment of a free Iraq at the heart of the Middle East will be a watershed event in the global democratic revolution." Full text of Bush's speech.
Donors conference raises $13 billion for Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3212439.stm

10/24/03, BBC: A summit of 77 international donor countries in Madrid raised $13 billion in pledges, mainly in grants, to help towards the reconstruction of Iraq. With $20bn already pledged by the United States, the $33bn total falls short of the estimated $56bn needed to rebuild the war-torn country.
UN backs Iraq transition: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3197688.stm

10/16/03, BBC: In Resolution 1511 the UN Security Council unanimously backed a compromise that recognized the "temporary nature" of the US led Coalition Provisional Authority, and the 25-member Iraqi Governing Council. It called for the strengthening of the role of the UN, authorized a multinational force under unified command of the U.S., asked for military and financial support, and requested that Iraqi leaders draw up a plan by 12/15/03 for a new constitution and elections. Full text of Resolution 1511.
Iraq's post-war cabinet: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3199561.stm

9/1/03 BBC: Backgrounds of the 24 men and one woman appointed to Iraq's first post-war cabinet on September 1 by the interim government. Includes Shia, Sunni, Kurds, a Christian and a Turkmen. There are no ministries for defense, information or religious affairs, nor has a Prime Minister been appointed.
Arab League accepts Iraq's Governing Council: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3091026.stm

9/8/03 BBC: The 22-member Arab League decides to allow Iraq's American appointed interim Governing Council delegation to take Iraq's seat in the League.
Attack on United Nations headquarters in Baghdad; top UN envoy killed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3167233.stm

8/20/03, BBC: The United Nations will continue its work in Iraq despite Tuesday's devastating attack on its headquarters in Baghdad, Kofi Annan has said.
Iraqi Governing Council meets for first time: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3062037.stm

7/13/03, BBC: A 25 member Iraqi Governing Council, appointed by the US led coalition, meets for the first time. Full list and profiles of the 25 members.
End of UN Sanctions on Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3045471.stm

5/21/03, BBC: France, Germany and Russia announced they will vote for a US resolution to end United Nations sanctions on Iraq and authorize the US-led coalition to run Iraq until a recognized government takes over in Baghdad. Full text of Resolution 1483, 5/22/03.
US arms experts leave Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3018063.stm

5/11/03, BBC: The United States force that originally directed the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq pulls out.
Paul Bremer named to run Iraq: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3005589.stm

5/7/03, BBC: The White House named veteran diplomat and ex-State Department official Paul Bremer as the man whose task it is to supervise the transition to democracy in Iraq. He will outrank retired General Jay Garner, who had been appointed Iraq's chief civil administrator.
Pres. Bush Announces Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2994345.stm

5/2/03, BBC: Full text of President Bush's speech aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
US pulls out of Saudi Arabia: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2984547.stm

4/29/03, BBC: The United States has said that virtually all its troops, except some training personnel, are to be pulled out of Saudi Arabia.
US begins shaping Iraq's future: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2948351.stm

4/15/03, BBC - Iraqi representatives at a US-brokered meeting to start shaping a future government of the country have agreed to work for a democratic, federal Iraq.
Bush & Blair broadcasts to Iraqi people: www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page3469.asp

4/10/03 text of the broadcast from President Bush & Prime Minister Blair to the Iraqi people upon American entry into Baghdad.
President Bush announces beginning of the war in Iraq: www.state.gov/p/nea/rls/rm/18851.htm

The full text of the March 19, 2003 speech announcing the beginning of "military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger."
President Bush ends diplomacy: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317-7.html

Full text of President Bush's 3/17/03 speech giving a 48 hour ultimatum for Saddam to leave Iraq or U.S. Forces will attack.
Azores Summit press conference: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030316-3.html

Text of the press conference in which US President George W. Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar announce that there is only one more day for diplomacy about Iraq.
Azores Summit statement: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2855567.stm

Written statement issued by US President George W. Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar at their summit meeting in the Azores, 16 March 2003.
CNN/CBS Interview with French President Jacque Chirac: http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/03/16/ sprj.irq.amanpour.chirac/index.html

Conducted shortly before the Azores Summit with the U.S., U.K. and Spain on 3/16/03. Chirac replies to a question about a 30 - 60 day deadline for Iraq by referring to what the weapons inspectors "propose and suggest." Widely reported as a concession to a 30 day deadline.
United Kingdom's "six tests" to measure Iraqi compliance: www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page3263.asp

The British ambassador to the UN is circulating six tests by which Iraqi compliance would be measured. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's full statement 3/12/03.
Proposed US, UK & Spain Security Council resolution: http://c-span.org/resources/fyi/draftresolution2.asp

3/7/03: Text of a Draft Resolution submitted by the U.S., the U.K. & Spain to the U.N. Security Council regarding Iraqi compliance with Security Council Resolution 1441 & previous Resolutions by March 17.
U.N. weapons inspectors report 3/7/03: www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sc7682.doc.htm

UN Press Release summarizing Hans Blix & Mohamed El Baradei's reports and Security Council Member responses.
Full text of the Hans Blix 3/7/03 report to the Security Council: www.un.org/Depts/unmovic/SC7asdelivered.htm

UNMOVIC (United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission) Executive Chairman's oral report to the UN Security Council.
Memo submitted by France, Germany & Russia on Iraq weapons inspections: http://c-span.org/resources/fyi/frenchresolution.asp

Sets out more time and a clear program of action for inspections plus timelines and assessment procedures, dated Feb. 24, 2003.
Security Council Resolution 1441: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2002/SC7564.doc.htm

The Resolution, adopted November 8, 2002, that "decided" that Iraq is in "material breach," and gives Iraq a "final opportunity" to disarm and decided to set up an "enhanced inspection regime."
Resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq: http://www.usembassy.it/file2002_10/alia/a2101002.htm

The U.S. Congress passed this on October 10, 2002. President Bush signed it on October 16, 2002.
Pres. Bush's post Sept. 11 address to joint session of Congress: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.html

9/20/01 text of speech in which President Bush demanded that the Taliban in Afghanistan close terrorist bases; turn over Al-Qaeda members; promised to pursue "every terrorist group of global reach" and any nation that harbors them; announced global cooperation to stop terrorism; formed the Office of Homeland Security; and put U.S. military forces on alert.
President's 9/12/02 remarks at the U.N. General Assembly: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/09/20020912-1.html

President Bush begins the post Sept. 11 process of U.N. diplomacy and Security Council action about Iraq.
Pres. Bush's "Axis of Evil" speech: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020129-11.html

1/29/02 State of the Union address: U.S. had defeated the Taliban in Afghanistan and arrested many terrorists; announced that the next goal was to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America with weapons of mass destruction and named North Korea, Iran and Iraq as an "Axis of Evil."
Iraq Liberation Act of 1998: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=105_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ338.105

Approved October 31, 1998 and signed by President Clinton: "It should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.
UN Documentation Centre: www.un.org/documents/

United Nations documentation on Resolutions, Documents, Statements Decisions and Press Releases of the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic & Social Council, the Secretariat and the International Court of Justice.