DATE=10/22/1999
TYPE=EDITORIAL
TITLE=EDITORIAL: IRAQ VIOLATES SANCTIONS
NUMBER=0-08495
CONTENT=
Anncr: The Voice of America presents differing
points of view on a wide variety of issues. Next,
an editorial expressing the policies of the United
States Government:
Voice: Iraq continues to violate the sanctions
imposed by the United Nations Security Council.
This month, United States forces serving with the
international coalition in the Persian Gulf
boarded two Iraqi ships and found petroleum
products being taken out of Iraq illegally. Under
the U-N oil-for-food program, Iraq is allowed to
export billions of dollars' worth of oil. But it
must be done under U-N supervision to ensure that
the proceeds are used for approved purposes. Most
of the money is supposed to be used to buy food,
medicine and other humanitarian goods for the
Iraqi people. A smaller portion goes toward
compensating victims of Iraq's unprovoked invasion
of Kuwait in 1990.
Perhaps even worse than Iraq's illegal exports of
petroleum products, however, are its attempts to
export food in violation of the sanctions.
Earlier this month, the Kuwaiti coast guard seized
three cargo ships sailing from Iraq. They were
carrying hundreds of tons of food, as well as
clover used for animal feed. The smuggled
foodstuffs included dates, licorice, edible
grains, and lentils. Of special note were some
seventy tons of a grain used to flavor sweets and
considered beneficial for nursing mothers.
These are facts to keep in mind as officials in
Baghdad complain that Iraqi children and others do
not have enough to eat and seek to blame the U-N
sanctions. Moreover, despite having ample money
from the oil-for-food program, the Baghdad regime
still refuses to purchase nutritional supplements
recommended by the U-N for children and pregnant
and nursing mothers.
There is no doubt that Iraqi children are
suffering. But the primary reason is dictator
Saddam Hussein. He continues to put a higher
priority on weapons and luxuries than on his
country's children. In addition to spending
untold amounts of money on arms, including
programs to develop nuclear, chemical, and
biological weapons, Saddam has spent more than
two-billion dollars on luxurious palaces and
vacation resorts for himself and his ruling
clique.
Iraqi suffering will end only when Saddam Hussein
changes his priorities - or when the government in
Baghdad is changed.
Anncr: That was an editorial expressing the
policies of the United States Government. If you
have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A,
Washington, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. You may also
comment at www-dot-voa-dot-gov-slash-editorials,
or fax us at (202) 619-1043.
21-Oct-1999 11:17 AM EDT (21-Oct-1999 1517 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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