09 June 2000
Text: Boucher's Statement on Renewal of Iraq Oil-for-Food Program
(Resolution calls upon Iraq to cooperate fully with U.N. programs) (520) The United States welcomes the unanimous adoption by the U.N. Security Council on June 8 of the eighth renewal of the Oil-for-Food program for Iraq, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement June 9. Since the program was accepted by Iraq in 1996, the U.N. has regularly taken steps to enhance the Oil-for-Food program and improve its effectiveness, Boucher said. He also noted that this is the largest humanitarian program in the United Nations' history. Boucher said it is Iraq's responsibility, as laid out in U.N. Security Council Resoluton 1284, "to order and distribute supplies in a timely and equitable manner, to meet the needs of vulnerable groups and to cooperate fully with the UN programs." Following is the text of Boucher's statement: (begin text) U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman June 9, 2000 Renewal of UN Oil-for-Food Program in Iraq The United States welcomes the unanimous adoption by the Security Council yesterday of the eighth renewal of the Oil-for-Food program for Iraq. Oil-for-Food, the largest humanitarian program in UN history, is authorized by the Council in six-month phases. Iraqi oil revenues, controlled through the just-ended phase of Oil-for-Food, are expected to be a record $8.4 billion, fueling significant improvement in the humanitarian situation in Iraq. Since the program was accepted by Iraq in 1996, the Council has regularly taken steps to enhance the program and improve its effectiveness. The resolution adopted yesterday continues this trend: The provinces in northern Iraq (which are outside Baghdad's control) and which have been the objects of brutal regime repression in the past, now have a clearly established set-aside of 13% of oil revenues for humanitarian purchases. In these provinces, which are not controlled by Saddam and in which the UN administers the program directly, Oil-for-Food has been implemented much more effectively and has led to more substantial improvements in humanitarian conditions than is the case in the rest of Iraq, where the Government of Iraq controls distribution of supplies. Lists of goods destined for the water and sanitation sector will be "pre-approved," and no longer need to be reviewed by the Sanctions Committee. Many goods in the food, medicine, agriculture, and education sectors are already handled under these expedited procedures. Once again, Iraq is authorized to spend up to $600 million for oil infrastructure repair to allow it to continue to earn funds for humanitarian purchases. While the Security Council continues to work to improve conditions for the Iraqi people, the Government of Iraq maintains its stubborn refusal to do its part. The resolution again calls upon the Government of Iraq to implement its responsibilities, laid out by the Council in December in Resolution 1284, to order and distribute supplies in a timely and equitable manner, to meet the needs of vulnerable groups and to cooperate fully with UN programs. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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