Vol. 412 No. 3
5 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the Government's attitude to the plight of civilians in Iraq; if any steps are being taken to help alleviate suffering and hunger, especially among children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The plight of civilians in Iraq is a deeply troubling one and the Government are most anxious that this grave problem should be eased as quickly as possible. Important steps have been taken by the United Nations to ensure that foodstuffs and medicines can more effectively be provided to the Iraqi population but, unfortunately, Saddam Hussein is refusing to co-operate with the United Nations.
The sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on Iraq make exceptions in the case of supplies intended strictly for medical purposes; of foodstuffs notified to the Security Council's Sanctions Committee and, with that committee's approval, of materials and supplies for essential civilian needs.
On 5 April, the Security Council insisted that Iraq allow immediate access by international humanitarian organisations to all those in need of assistance in all parts of Iraq. Sadruddin Aga Khan, whom the UN Secretary General appointed as his executive delegate, has reported that, although the results of the humanitarian programme have been impressive, they fall far short of meeting the enormity of the humanitarian need that continues to exist in Iraq.
On 15 August, the Security Council adopted a resolution authorising the export of petroleum products from Iraq up to the value of 1.6 billion US dollars. That sum would be paid directly by the importing states into an account administered by the Secretary General and would serve principally to finance the purchase of foodstuffs, medicines and materials for essential civilan needs.
I deplore the fact that Saddam Hussein has so far refused to accept this Security Council decision which was intended to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people. I hope that the authorities in Iraq will reconsider their position.
I would be at one with the Minister in deploring the decision of Saddam Hussein. I understood, however, that the war was fought to eliminate this person but he seems to be still in control of Iraq despite all the horrible destruction and deaths. Would the Minister indicate what the parameters of the humanitarian need in Iraq are, how many civilians, children in particular, have died since the end of the war as a result of hunger and disease and the steps which are being taken apart from the provision of food and medicines, to assist in the reconstruction of the civilian infrastructure in Iraq?
The plight of the Iraqi civilian population is a serious one and Sadruddin Aga Khan has said that there could be a full scale famine within six months. An Oxfam representative who visited Iraq in September reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that at that time eight to ten children were dying of malnutrition each day in Baghdad alone and that water supplies in southern Iraq were being polluted as a result of the damage done to the sewerage system during the war. These assessments are supported by the views of other interested welfare bodies. With regard to the question of what can be done to help them, Ireland and the partners in the European Community have agreed to fund the sums outstanding to pay for the presence in Iraq of 500 UN guards who are playing a significant role in protecting the United Nations humanitarian teams operating there. As I said, I have been advised that the problem is not one of funding. We know and accept the fact that Iraq is rich in resources and that it is the persistent refusal of Saddam Hussein to comply with Security Council resolutions which gives rise to the situation.
Is the Minister trying to suggest that the question of funding does not arise? I was under the impression that the question of funding was relevant. Would the Minister not accept, therefore, that because the funds available for disaster relief and development have been slashed he has no funds available?
I will not mind dealing with the contents of that political supplementary question later when we come to deal with the question of funding in the proper sense of the word but it does not arise here. One is not being helpful to the case being made by Deputy De Rossa in trying to cloud it over. The question of funding is not the problem. The Security Council of the United Nations has authorised the export of US $1.6 billion of oil for the purposes outlined to the House. The responsibility lies with Saddam Hussein to avail of this lifting of the sanctions on him by the United Nations so that essential supplies can be brought in.
May I ask the Minister if the attention to his Department has been drawn to the fact that a company located in Ireland have refused to complete delivery of medicines and food aid for children on the basis that the sanctions are still in place; in other words, even though they have been paid to deliver medicinal and powder products they have used the existence of the sanctions as an opportunity to evade supplying this needed humanitarian relief for children in Iraq?
The Deputy is raising a rather specific matter.
I would like to get as much detail as possible on the matter raised by Deputy Higgins and will be glad to take it up with my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
I will supply the details.
I would be glad to have them.
Question No. 6, please.
I should have said that the company has a United States parent company.
I would welcome any details that Deputy Higgins can give me on it.
