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The following is a copy of a letter I mailed to the NYT. Thought I'd
reproduce it here since it stands little chance of being published and
contains some interesting figures:
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Secretary of State Albright claims that "Iraqis are benefiting from the
expansion of the "oil for food" arrangements which are now insuring that
every Iraqi receives a daily ration basket equivalent to the recommended
caloric intake of the average American."
This is simply false.
The Financial Times reported on
Wednesday that whilst "The UN aim had been
to import enough food to allow Iraqis' daily calorie intake to increase
from 2030 to 2268. Last month, the food basket was completely full with
2030 calories", citing spokesman for the programme John Mills ("Sales well
below target", FT, August 19).
The reasons for this shortfall are clear. As the NYT reported
on Wednesday "oil experts have warned the United
Nations that [Iraq] is unlikely to be able to raise more than $2.5 billion
to $3 billion during the current six month period", considerably less then
the theoretical ceiling of $5.3 billion permitted under 1143 ("UN says Iraq
will have more to spend on food and medicine",NYT, August 19)
Of this money only 60-70 % is
allocated (by the UN) for humanitarian relief for the Iraqi people. Thus,
if the worst estimates are realized, additional revenues under the
expanded deal could amount to as little as 60 % of $ 0.5 bn every six
months ie. $ 300 million dollars.
Meanwhile the UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Iraq, Denis Halliday, says
that Iraqi children are being permanently damaged by malnutrition
and protein deficiency and that the official ration works properly only
"for three weeks out of four".
The British newspaper "The Independent"
recently reported that Halliday had "wanted to give each Iraqi a kilogram
of cheese every month to improve their diet, but New York balked at the
total cost of $900 million every six months." ("UN official quits in row
over aid to Iraq", Independent, 23rd July).
Gabriel Carlyle
Junior Research Fellow
Magdalen College
Oxford OX1 4AU.
tel. (England) 01865-276012.
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