Oil for food program
Oil-for-Food Programme
The Security Council adopted this program in 1995 after widespread criticisms of the humanitarian crisis in Iraq under comprehensive economic sanctions. After delays, humanitarian supplies began to arrive in 1997. Though the program lessened the crisis, it did not end it. Under its rules, the UN controlled all revenues from Iraq's oil sales and contracts within the program were subject to oversight. The US and the UK often imposed political blockages on legitimate humanitarian contracts, claiming "dual-use" as military items. Procedures were slow, monies were withheld for war reparations, and Iraq's oil industry could not obtain either investments or adequate spare parts. Beginning in late 2001, the US-UK throttled Iraq's oil sales through abusive control over the contract price, drastically reducing funds available for the program. The adoption of Resolution 1483 in May 2003 put an end to sanctions and foresaw the phasing out of the Programme over 6 months and the gradual transfer of its administration to the US-UK authorities in Iraq.
I thought Resolution 1483 lifted sanctions.... although admitedly it doesnt come into effect until 6 months after the resolution was made.
Has something else happened that ive missed? (I admit i havent watched the news in about a month, since its so depressing at the moment....)
Oil for food program is bad now, because the US/UK basically blocked it, changed it and stole the money generated for "war reparations"....ie paying for the illegal bombing runs on Iraq during the last decade.
THEY made the program that way; so why are they complaining about it being that way now? It was originaly a Humanitarian program....the fact that it will take as long for them to change it back to such, as it will for the sanctions to finally be totally lifted, is no fault of anyone but them, surely.
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