Iraq

Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq became an independent kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen have ruled the country since then, the latest being SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-1988). In August 1990 Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during January-February 1991.

The victors did not occupy Iraq, however, thus allowing the regime to stay in control. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. UN trade sanctions remain in effect due to incomplete Iraqi compliance with relevant UNSC resolutions.

chief of state:

• President SADDAM Husayn (since 16 July 1979);
• Vice President Taha Muhyi al-Din MARUF (since 21 April 1974);
• Vice President Taha Yasin RAMADAN (since 23 March 1991)

head of government:

• Prime Minister SADDAM Husayn (since 29 May 1994);
• Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Mikhail AZIZ (since NA 1979);
• Deputy Prime Minister Taha Yasin RAMADAN (since NA May 1994);
• Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Hamza al-ZUBAYDI (since NA May 1994)

cabinet:

Council of Ministers

note: there is also a Revolutionary Command Council or RCC (Chairman SADDAM Husayn, Vice Chairman Izzat IBRAHIM al-Duri) which controls the ruling Ba'th Party,

and is the most powerful political entity in the country

elections:

• president and vice presidents elected by a two-thirds majority of the Revolutionary Command Council;
• election last held 17 October 1995 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:

• SADDAM Husayn reelected president;
• percent of vote - 99%;
• Taha Muhyi al-Din MARUF and Taha Yasin RAMADAN elected vice presidents;
• percent of vote - NA

Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s, financial problems caused by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran and damage to oil export facilities by Iran led the government to implement austerity measures, borrow heavily, and later reschedule foreign debt payments;

Iraq suffered economic losses of at least $100 billion from the war. After the end of hostilities in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically reduced economic activity.

The government's policies of supporting large military and internal security forces and of allocating resources to key supporters of the regime have exacerbated shortages. The implementation of the UN's oil-for-food program in December 1996 has helped improve economic conditions.

For the first six six-month phases of the program, Iraq was allowed to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian goods. In December 1999, the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export under the oil-for-food program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs.

Oil exports are now about three-quarters their prewar level. Per capita food imports have increased significantly, while medical supplies and health care services are steadily improving. Per capita output and living standards are still well below the prewar level, but any estimates have a wide range of error.