Why not just read the resolutions themselves and see what was authorized (and what was NOT prohibited)? There are several, but here are the three key ones, 660, 678 and 686:
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In summary, 660 condemned the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and demanded their withdrawal, while 678 authorized "all necessary means" (dimplomat-speak for "all out war") to removed Iraqi forces from Kuwait AND ensure peace in the region (in other words, ensure that Iraq was no longer a threat to the peace).
Now, once the Iraqi army was driven out of Kuwait, the first objective of 678 was accomplished, but there was no way of knowing whether Iraq would remain a threat to the peace. So, while we agreed to a cease fire, there was no cessation of hostilities. There was only a "suspension of offensive combat operations." 686 then set forth the conditions for cessation of hostilities.
So, as long as Iraq met the conditions of 686, then an invasion of Iraq would not be necessary to ensure peace in the region. Of course, Iraq never met those conditions, but that's not the problem with using Schwarzkopf's "we had no authority" excuse for "stopping at the border." Why? Because he "stopped at the border" BEFORE 686 existed, BEFORE ensuring that the second objective of 678 had been accomplished, and BEFORE Iraq agreed to the conditions for cessation of hostilities. Stopping was a choice, plain and simple, not a legal necessity.
You should also reconsider Schwarzkopf's quote. "... but we had no authority to invade Iraq for the purpose of capturing the entire country or its capital."
"Capturing" Iraq was never our purpose. An invasion for such a purpose is a war of conquest, not of defense, and would clearly violate international law. OTOH, an all out attack on Iraq leading to total defeat and surrender, and even to the arrest of Saddam if possible, would have been perfectly legal (both under international law and under the relevant UN resolutions) if that's what it took to ensure the security of Kuwait and restore peace in the region.
Bob
PS: You might also be interested in this clause from resolution 661.
"Affirming the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence, in response to the armed attack by Iraq against Kuwait, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter, ..." |
