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I don't think it is correct to say that the level of infant mortality has actually gone down as a result of sanctions. After 1991, infant mortality increased all over Iraq due to lack of food and medicines. After the Oil for Food, infant mortality in Northen Iraq decreased from its levels of before 1996, but are still higher than pre-1990. But infant mortality in central and southern Iraq is higher than northenr Iraq for many reasons: central and southern Iraq were the areas where the vicious attacks took place and wher DU was used abundantly. It was also the area where most of the destroyed industry was located. It was the area which was more exposed to gases and fumes from the burning oil wells and industrial facilities. Northen Iraq gets cleaner water than souhtern Iraq, as waste is dumped into the river and it gets worse the more to the south you move. Northen Iraq gets a lot of its water from springs, while cetral and southern Iraq drink from the rivers. Most important is that there are tens of aid agencies working in northern Iraq only, and the Oil for Food gives northern Iraq cash, which the rest of Iraq does not get. These fators contribute to the better situation in north Iraq. I think the UNICEF report of 1999 touches on these issues too. So in fact there are no children's lives that have been saved... This is part of the propaganda which tries to show that because northen Iraq is outside the rule of the central government, infant mortality had decreased. It borders on the absurd to say that infant mortality had decreased "because of sanctions"; as if sanctions are not WMDs; as if sanctions are good... It is not only a lie; it is ridiculous.. HZ _________________________________________________________ Check your email always! Anytime, anywhere, with Maktoob Mobile http://www.maktoob.com _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk