Tracking Number: 240219
Title: "Iraq's Interference in Humanitarian Efforts." Saddam Hussein's meddling in private international humanitarian efforts demonstrates the Iraqi government's wanton lack of
concern for the welfare of Iraqi children and other Iraqis in need and has prompted international demands for Iraq to renew its agreements concerning humanitarian aid with the UN. (920824)
Translated Title: La interferencia de
Irak en los esfuerzos humanitarios. (920824)
Date: 19920824
Text:
IRAQ'S INTERFERENCE IN HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
(VOA Editorial) (320) (Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America August 22, reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)
U.N. Security Council Resolution 688 requires Saddam Hussein to end his repression of the Iraqi people and allow humanitarian organizations access to all of those in need. After the Persian Gulf War, the United Nations and Iraq reached an agreement that governs the status of relief workers from the United Nations and private agencies. The agreement expired on June 30, but Saddam Hussein has refused to renew it and is increasingly hindering the work of international relief agencies.
The U.N. Children's Fund, or UNICEF, has reported that Iraq has refused to issue UNICEF workers the travel permits Iraq requires for moving around the country. UNICEF has been unable to deliver medicine to Iraqi children who are facing shortages of infant formula, diarrhea-causing diseases, and a measles epidemic. The head of UNICEF's delegation in Iraq, Dr. Enzio Gianni Murzi, estimates that about one million Iraqi children lack measles vaccinations and are vulnerable to the disease.
The U.N. World Food Program says it is increasingly unable to distribute food to over one million desperately poor Iraqis. A U.N. official said that, "Drivers are afraid to go out on the road without (travel) permits, so our activities are being reduced." Private humanitarian organizations in Iraq, such as Catholic Relief Services and CARE, are also experiencing difficulties in carrying out their work.
Saddam Hussein's wanton lack of concern for the welfare of Iraqi children and other Iraqis in need has prompted international demands for Iraq to renew its agreement with the United Nations. As Ambassador Perkins said, "In his most cruel hoax, Saddam Hussein has blamed the number of malnourished Iraqis on the U.N. sanctions rather than the Iraqi military and his own policies of repression."
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File Identification: 08/24/92, TX-101; 08/24/92, AE-109; 08/24/92, LD-106; 08/24/92, PF-151; 08/24/92, EF-153; 08/24/92, NE-104; 08/24/92, NA-103; 08/26/92, LSD308
Product Name: Wireless File; VOA Editorials
Product Code: WF; VO
Languages: Arabic; Spanish
Keywords: HUMANITARIAN AID; HUSSEIN, SADDAM; IRAQ/Defense & Military; IRAQ/Economic & Social; FOOD AID; CHILDREN; PRIVATE VOLUNTARY
ORGANIZATIONS (PVO); UNITED NATIONS; IRAQ-US RELATIONS
Document Type: EDI
Thematic Codes: 1NE; 1UN
Target Areas: AF; AR; EA; EU; NE
PDQ Text Link: 240219; 240521
USIA Notes: *92082401.TXT
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