ABSTRACT
The defection of Hussein Kamel on 7 August 1995 had been preceded by a period during which the Iraqi government transmitted conflicting signals regarding the inspection process, especially to UNSCOM, and concerning its relationship with the international community in general. The Iraqi regime stressed on different occasions that its only motivation for cooperation with UNSCOM and IAEA was the prospect of reintegration into the international community which once again offered to help Iraq ease the suffering of the population: UNSC Resolution 986, the basis for what later would be called ‘Oil for Food’, allowed Iraq, under UN supervision, to sell a limited amount of oil and with the revenue purchase essential goods. The Iraqi regime rejected this at the time. The news about the defection shook Iraq to its core. There was a day of rumors before the news broke out. Hussein Kamel was very unpopular, and his departure is in fact hailed by many in the administration.
