It is untrue that there is an embargo on medical supplies. Refer to Resolution 661 (1990) of the U.N. Security Council. Articles 3 and 4 specifically exempts goods for medical or humanitarian purposes from the embargo.
unog.ch
Also, Security Council RESOLUTION 986 (1995)
1.Authorizes States, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 3 (a), 3 (b) and 4 of resolution 661 (1990) and subsequent relevant resolutions, to permit the import of petroleum and petroleum products originating in Iraq, including financial and other essential transactions directly relating thereto, sufficient to produce a sum not exceeding a total of one billion United States dollars every 90 days for the purposes set out in this resolution..
un.org
The purposes include the financing of the export to Iraq, in accordance with the procedures of the Committee established by resolution 661 (1990), of medicine, health supplies, foodstuffs, and materials and supplies for essential civilian needs..
Of course, Saddam is selling much more oil than allowed by the U.N. Resolution. He is cynically using the children of his own country as hostages in an attempt to influence world opinion.
He has failed to comply fully with Resolution 687 and has refused between 1991 and 1996 to implement any "oil-for-food" arrangement. The Iraqi government continues to direct resources to non-humanitarian purposes (military as well as palaces and monuments) thereby redirecting the consequences of sanctions away from itself and onto vulnerable civilians. |
