91997E4056

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4056/97 by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Commission (14 January 1998)

Subject: Sanctions against Iraq and their impact on Iraq's population

It is recognized that the policy of imposing sanctions against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq is having tragic effects on the population of the country and, in particular, the children who are suffering from malnutrition and a shortage of drugs.

Given that it is doubtful whether sanctions have achieved the expected results, while the population is in a situation that no civilized state can tolerate, will the Commission say:

1. what its position is on the above issues, and

2. whether it intends to take any measures to relieve the afflicted population and especially the children who are suffering malnutrition and a shortage of drugs?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (4 Februay 1998)

The embargo against Iraq has always allowed for medicines and foodstuffs to be exported to Iraq, with certain restrictions between August 1990 and May 1991. As of May 1991, medicines and foodstuffs could be exported, in principle, in unlimited quantities to Iraq, depending on the willingness of the Iraqi government to spend its reserves on the import of these goods.

In order to alleviate the suffering of the people, the Community has since 1991 provided humanitarian aid to Iraq with over 200 MECU, initially almost exclusively for the Kurdish controlled North. The Community 1997 programme of 22 MECU was equally split between the Kurdish North and areas controlled by the government of Iraq. About 2 MECU of this financing is towards medical supplies for the Kurdish population provided through non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Commission has allocated 10 MECU for financing 1998 operations.

In contrast to Central and South Iraq, experts who have visited Northern Iraq assess the overall humanitarian situation as satisfactory. Food distribution seems to be reasonably efficient and under-nutrition is not a significant problem as previously reported. The supply of medical items is still unsatisfactory, mostly due to the distribution system. NGOs and Kurdish authorities are looking into ways of improving distribution channels.

Under the first two phases of the United Nations (UN) oil-for-food resolutions (10 December 1996 / 4 December 1997) Northern Iraq (3 million people) has been allocated 470 MECU of which 70 MECU for the health sector (comprising 50 MECU of medical supplies and 19 MECU for rehabilitation of health facilities) 200 MECU for food and a further 13.5 MECU for nutrition.

In view of the far larger amounts under the oil-for-food provisions, the Community's future assistance will depend upon the efficiency of the implementation of the oil-for-food arangement and the possibility of increasing oil sales and subsequent purchases of medicines and foodstuffs. A proposal to increase Iraqi oil sales is under consideration by the UN Secretary general for presentation to the UN Security council.