Desk Study on the Environment in Iraq Desk Study on the ... - UNEP

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estimated
that only 3 to 5 million ha are currently cultivated annually. 37 The principal crops
include dates, wheat, barley, maize, rice and cotton, as well as a wide variety of fruit and
vegetables. 38
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recently expressed concerns that the
2003 harvest (due in May/June) could be at risk from continuing instability and fuel and
manpower shortages.
Other key industries
Iraq’s industrial infrastructure was heavily damaged during the 1991 Gulf War and little information
has been made publicly available on the situation since then. Apart from armaments
and oil/gas production, petrochemical industries make up the most important sector, with
products including agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and fibres. Other manufacturing
industries include textile and paper mills, furniture factories, electronics plants, and iron and
steel production. All of these industries use raw materials and/or generate waste that may
pose risks to the environment and human health, particularly given the country’s absent or
rudimentary waste collection and treatment systems (see page 34).
2.6 Chronology of key events up to and including the
2003 conflict
The following table summarizes key events in Iraq from the country’s independence in 1932
to the military conflict of March/April 2003. 39
From independence to the succession of Saddam Hussein to the Presidency
1932 3 October – Iraq becomes an independent state.
1958 14 July – the monarchy is overthrown in a military coup and Iraq is declared a republic.
1963 8 February – the government is overthrown in a coup led by the Arab Socialist Ba’th Party.
1979 16 July – Saddam Hussein becomes President.
Iran-Iraq war
1980 4 September – war breaks out between Iran and Iraq.
1983-1988 – Iraq deploys chemical weapons.
1988 20 August – a ceasefire comes into effect, to be monitored by the UN.
Iraq invades Kuwait
1990 2 August – Iraq invades Kuwait and is condemned by United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) Resolution 660 which calls for full withdrawal.
1990 6 August – UNSC Resolution 661 imposes economic sanctions on Iraq.
1990 29 November – UNSC Resolution 678 authorizes states cooperating with Kuwait to
use “all necessary means” to uphold UNSC Resolution 660.
The Gulf War
1991 16-17 January – war breaks out when the US-led coalition of 34 countries begins
aerial bombing of Iraq in Operation ‘Desert Storm’.
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<strong>Desk</strong> <strong>Study</strong>