WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- Nearly two decades after the first Gulf war and six years after Saddam Hussein was removed from power , Iraq still is subject to 73 United Nations resolutions . A March 1991 photo shows burning oil wells in Kuwait damaged by Iraq military forces . Now Iraq 's foreign minister says his country `` will not regain full sovereignty and independence without getting rid of these resolutions . '' Speaking to reporters in Washington , Hoshyar Zebari said Monday that Iraq has paid `` billions '' of dollars under Chapter 7 of the U.N. sanctions placed on Iraq as a result of the 1990 Iraq invasion of Kuwait and subsequent war . The U.N. Security Council is reviewing the sanctions , and Zebari said he had `` intensive discussions '' in New York with members of the Security Council . He said `` I think the outcome is positive . '' `` We felt a great deal of good will that , really , time has come for Iraq to get rid of all these restrictions and to regain its international standing and position as a normal country . '' The Iraqi foreign minister said bringing Iraq out of Chapter 7 is an `` American commitment also '' since Iraq signed the status of forces agreement with the United States , which governs the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq , based on its understanding that the U.S. would help Iraq to come out of Chapter 7 . Foreign Minister Zebari said the sanctions impose a heavy burden on Iraq -- it continues to pay 5 percent of its oil revenues to Kuwait , down from the initial 30 percent . Iraq 's security forces , he told reporters , have `` proven they are capable of defending themselves and the country . '' In the next six months , however , he said , the country faces some risks . `` What can be seen as problems could become crises unless this administration keeps its focus and support to push the situation forward ; otherwise this overall strategy of responsible redeployment could be undermined . '' If that happens , Zebari said , it `` will impact what the U.S. is doing in the Middle East , in the Arab peace process , with Iran , even in Afghanistan because Iraq is such a crucial player in the region . ''
Iraq 's FM says his country wo n't be fully independent until U.N. sanctions end . Iraq has paid `` billions of dollars '' under U.N. 's Chapter 7 , foreign minister says . `` Intensive discussions '' held with Security Council members , minister says .