Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/19/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-Iraq Aid (L-Only)

NUMBER=2-268176

BYLINE=Breck Ardery

DATELINE=United Nations

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The chief United Nations Humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, Tun Myat, said today (Thursday) that delays in shipments of electrical equipment are hurting average Iraqi citizens. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: Mr. Myat told reporters that the so-called "oil-for-food" program in Iraq involves much more than food and medical supplies. He said clean drinking water, working sanitation systems and adequate housing are also critical in promoting health and that those things largely depend on electricity.

That is why Mr. Myat is concerned about the number of "holds" on shipments to Iraq. The United States and, to a lesser extent, Britain have blocked - or placed "holds" -- on shipments to Iraq in which there is some question about whether the cargo could be used for military purposes. A spokesman at the U-S Mission to the United Nations says the United States tries to lift the "holds" as soon as it is clear that a shipment is strictly for civilian use. But he says that often, there is insufficient information to make such a determination.

Mr. Myat says many of the current "holds" are on vitally needed electrical components for the civilian sector.

/// MYAT ACT ///

Those of you who have visited Iraq know that nothing works without electricity. Everything is dependent on electricity. We now have something like a very large number of "holds," over 36 percent of the applications for the electricity sector are now on "hold."

/// END ACT ///

During his visit to New York, Mr. Myat met with the U-N Security Council's Iraq sanctions committee. He hopes greater communication from his office to the committee may result in a reduction in the number of "holds" on shipments to Iraq.

/// REST OPT ///

Mr. Myat said that, although food distribution is adequate to meet basic nutrition needs throughout Iraq, many Iraqis remain malnourished. He said that is because personal incomes are very low.

/// MYAT ACT ///

For many of them, food rations represent a major part of their income. So, in order to sustain their livelihoods, they sell part of the food they get. That is the sorry part of it. They have to sell it in order to buy clothes or shoes or hats or whatever other things they require.

/// END ACT ///

Regarding claims by the United States that the Iraqi government is importing large amounts of whisky and other luxury goods, Mr. Myat said he is aware those luxury goods are coming into the country. However, he emphasized that none of the money in the official U-N authorized oil-for-food program is being used for such goods.

He also said the recent wave of so-called humanitarian air flights to Iraq will not make a material difference in the welfare of the average Iraqi. (Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JP