Mary Harney
Question:84 Miss Harney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has studied the recent UN FAO report concerning the effect on child mortality of UN sanctions in Iraq; and, if so, his views on the matter. [19291/96]
Written Answers. - UN Sanctions Effects on Iraq.
I understand the Deputy to refer to the major report on the food and nutrition situation in Iraq which was published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation last September and which included details of the effects on children of the low food supply in that country. I am deeply concerned at the seriousness of the position described by the report, and subsequent reports, especially as this affects children.
While UN Security Council resolutions have prohibited oil sales by Iraq, the Security Council has adopted a number of resolutions allowing Iraq to export substantial quantities of oil in order to fund the purchase of food, medicines and other items for essential civilian use. The most recent such Resolution was Security Council Resolution 986 which was adopted in April last and which considerably expanded the terms under which Iraq could sell oil for this purpose. Like its predecessors this Resolution is intended to help relieve the suffering of the Iraqi people. There have been encouraging indications over the past week that Iraq may be moving towards acceptance of this Resolution and I very much welcome this development. However, it remains a matter of great concern to me that it is not possible for the UN and other humanitarian agencies to operate throughout Iraq and provide assistance because they are denied access by the Iraqi authorities.
The international community is continuing to look for ways of relieving the situation. The Security Council is at present preparing to send a special mission to Iraq to investigate the economic and social situation there, the effect of the policies of the Government of Iraq and the impact of the deteriorating conditions of the Iraqi people. I understand that the Security Council may request the mission for an assessment of the extent to which implementation of Resolution 986 would alleviate the present situation.
I sincerely hope that the Iraqi authorities will co-operate with the mission and grant it the freedom of movement needed to carry out its task.