Tracking Number: 214299
Title: "Iraq Cuts Off Food Supplies to Some Sectors." The State Department reports that the Iraqi government has deliberately cut in half shipments of food, fuel and other
essential humanitarian supplies to northern Iraq and has restricted shipments to many areas of southern Iraq. (920212)
Translated Title: Irak suspende suministro de alimentos a algunos sectores.; L`Irak restreint la distribution
d`aide humanitaire.; Irak suspende suministro de alimentos a algunos sectores. (920212)
Author: DYBVIK, RUSSELL E (USIA STAFF WRITER)
Date: 19920213
Text:
*AEF405
02/13/92 (FRENCH COMING) IRAQ CUTS OFF FOOD SUPPLIES TO SOME SECTORS (Inflicts severe hardships on civilians) (500) By Russell Dybvik USIA Diplomatic Correspondent WASHINGTON -- The Iraqi government has deliberately cut in half shipments of food, fuel and other essential humanitarian supplies to northern Iraq and has restricted shipments to many areas of southern Iraq as well, according to the U.S. State Department.
"The embargo, enforced by the Iraqi military, is inflicting severe hardship on Iraqi civilians," the department said in a written statement issued late February 11. The U.S. government is "deeply concerned" by Iraq's "de facto embargo," it said.
"Since the imposition of the blockade began in October, there have been progressive cuts in food deliveries to the north to a rate equal to about half the government's ration allocation -- far less than in other areas of Iraq," the statement said. "The Iraqi government has applied similar restrictions on many areas of southern Iraq," it added.
"Food is in very short supply, with some northern cities having received no government food shipments at all for months," the statement continued. The State Department said it was ironic that the Iraqi government continues to issue "distorted accounts of the alleged humanitarian impact" of United Nations sanctions, "which in no way restrict the flow of food, while it imposes an internal embargo consciously designed to deprive Iraqi civilians of food and other essential supplies."
The United Nations, through the World Food Program, currently provides food to more than 500,000 displaced persons in northern Iraq, people who have no access to the Iraqi government's rationing system. More than 87,000 metric tons of food were provided through the program during 1991, the statement said.
The United States and other donor countries provide contributions to the World Food Program. To date, the United States has contributed $94 million to U.N. agencies, $6.9 million to private organizations, and over 63,000 metric tons of food to the relief effort.
"This together with Operation Provide Comfort, brings the total of previous U.S. contributions to around $600 million," the State Department said.
The United States recently pledged an additional $36 million for the extension of humanitarian programs in northern Iraq in response to a U.N. appeal for $145 million. Of the new U.S. pledge, $13 million will be used to meet food aid requirements of the World Food Program.
The Iraqi regime continues to refuse to implement a U.N. Security Council resolution which would permit the sale of about $1,600 million of Iraqi oil under a U.N. monitoring plan. Proceeds of that sale would be used to fund increased food imports and other humanitarian needs, to pay for the cost of U.N. inspection teams operating inside Iraq, and to set up a fund to compensate victims who suffered losses stemming from Iraq's August 1990 invasion and occupation of Kuwait.
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File Identification: 02/12/92, PO-303; 02/12/92, AR-322; 02/12/92, EP-309; 02/12/92, EU-308; 02/12/92, NE-304; 02/13/92, AE-405; 02/19/92, AS-412; 02/20/92, AF-403; 02/20/92, AS-412; 02/12/92, NA-304
Product
Name: Wireless File
Product Code: WF
Languages: Spanish; French; Spanish; Arabic
Keywords: DEPARTMENT OF STATE; IRAQ/Politics & Government; DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS; EMBARGOES;
LIVING CONDITIONS; HUMANITARIAN AID; DISPLACED PERSONS; IRAQ-US RELATIONS; UNITED NATIONS; WORLD FOOD PROGRAM
Thematic Codes: 1UN; 1NE; 2HA
Target Areas: AF; AR; EA; EU; NE
PDQ Text Link:
214299; 214246; 215326; 217144
USIA Notes: *92011203.POL SUB: IRAQ 500 CO: FOOD BLOCKADE/U.N.(FR)rlc,hrsp
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