01 May 2002
Saddam Political Move Cripples Humanitarian Aid Program in Iraq
(Suspension of oil exports hurts oil-for-food program) (260)
By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent
United Nations -- As Iraq continues its suspension of oil exports
under the oil-for-food program, funds used to purchase humanitarian
goods have dried up, the U.N. Office of the Iraq Program announced
April 30.
Revenue loss as a result of the suspension is now estimated at $1,200
million. There are currently no funds available to cover 1,192
approved contracts for the purchase of various humanitarian supplies
and equipment valued at $2,900 million, according to the Office of the
Iraq program.
"It is obvious that the suspension of exports is not going to help
bring peace in the Middle East and only inflicts suffering on the
Iraqi people," a U.S. diplomat said speaking on the condition of
anonymity.
"The oil export suspension only demonstrates again Saddam Hussein's
willingness to exploit his people for his own political advantage,"
the U.S. diplomat said.
The oil-for-food program, administered by the United Nations, allows
Baghdad to export petroleum and use a major portion of the crude
revenue to buy food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies under
U.N. supervision.
Suspension of oil exports began April 8 after Baghdad announced that
no oil will be lifted for 30 days or until Israeli armed forces have
unconditionally withdrawn from the Palestinian territories. At the
time of the suspension, a spokesperson for the oil-for-food program
noted that there was already a funding crisis in the program which
would only be exacerbated by the suspension.
(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
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