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-----Original Message----- From: Iraq ListServ <i-gnea@PD.STATE.GOV> To: US-IRAQPOLICY@LISTS.STATE.GOV <US-IRAQPOLICY@LISTS.STATE.GOV> Date: 25 March 2000 00:30 Subject: UNSC/Iraq Humanitarian situation >HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING >BY FRED ECKHARD SPOKESMAN FOR THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL >UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK >Friday, March 24, 2000 > >SECURITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN IRAQ > >Today's Security Council open briefing on Iraq began with a presentation by >the Secretary-General of his recent report on the humanitarian situation in >that country. The Secretary-General told the Council that, although the >"oil-for-food" program has undoubtedly brought the people of Iraq some >relief, "many of the essential needs of the population remain unsatisfied." > >In particular, he said that a mechanism is needed to review "holds" that >have been placed by the Iraq Sanctions Committee on contract applications by >Iraq, which the Secretary-General noted had a direct negative impact on the >humanitarian program. > >He warned that Iraq's oil industry remains seriously hampered by a lack of >spare parts and equipment, and he recommended a "significant increase" in >the allocation of resources under the Office of the Iraq Programme for spare >parts purchases. > >In closed consultations just prior to the open meeting, the Council >considered a draft resolution that would allow an increased allocation to >purchase spare parts for Iraq's oil industry, and the Secretary-General >commented that he would "very much welcome that." > >Most of all, the Secretary-General said, the humanitarian situation poses a >serious moral dilemma for the United Nations. "We are in danger of losing >the argument, or the propaganda war -- if we haven't already lost it -- >about who is responsible for this situation in Iraq, President Saddam >Hussein or the United Nations," he said. > >The meeting then proceeded with Benon Sevan, Executive Director of the >Office of the Iraq Programme, and Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the >UN Children's Fund, on hand to answer questions from Council members. > >Asked about violations of the Iraq sanctions regime, the Spokesman noted >that the Sanctions Committee was briefed on Thursday by Vice Admiral Charles >Moore, the coordinator of the fleet that patrols the waters off Iraq. The >Committee, which is chaired by Ambassador Arnold Peter van Walsum of the >Netherlands, has been briefed regularly on efforts to interdict illegal >shipments, he said. > >(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. >Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov) > >============================================================ >Additional Information available: >Policies and Statements: >http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/nea/iraq/iraq.htm > >TO GET OFF THIS LIST: >Send a message that says SIGNOFF US-IRAQPOLICY >to >LISTSERV@LISTS.STATE.GOV > > -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq For removal from list, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk Full details of CASI's various lists can be found on the CASI website: http://welcome.to/casi