Texter - do ANY research into the subject and you'll find that the sanctions are a de facto HUMANITARIAN embargo. DE FACTO. It is illegal to import or export anything (including medical aid or foodstuffs), outside the oil-for-food programme (which is wholely inadequate). Here's why it is a humanitarian embargo by another name:
In 1990, UN Security Council Resolution 661 was invoked, which prohibited the import or export of anything except foodstuff or medical goods. But considering 90% of Iraq's income came from oil exports, there was no practicable way for humanitarian aid to be bought.
In 1991, after the UN's own reports showed massive suffering inside Iraq, Resolutions 706 and 712 were passed. These allowed Iraq to sell $1.6 billion of oil every six months.
Now, the UN then deducted 40% of that amount in war reparations and UN expenses. This left less than half of the $3.6 billion the UN itself estimated the country needed as the minimum emergency needs. A tiny amount compared to the $22 billion required to build Iraq's infrastructure.
Saddam, in his wisdom, rejected this offer.
So the people of Iraq have been subject to wholly political wranglings between one slightly deranged dictator and the supposed representative of modern civilisation.
In 1996, the situation was reviewed and a new package drawn up. Iraq was permitted to sell $1 billion of oil over a 90-day (renewable) period in order to buy humanitarian supplies. All proceeds from such sales will be placed in a UN-controlled bank account, to which Iraq has no access. Of the $4 billion of revenues over one year, 30 percent will go towards reparations for the Gulf war, 15 percent will go towards humanitarian supplies for 3 million Kurds in northern Iraq, 5-10 percent will pay for UN operations in Iraq, and 5-10 percent will cover repair and maintenance of the oil pipelines--leaving about $1.6 billion for Iraq's remaining population of 18 million, less than $7.50 per person every month.
The various UN agencies have estimated that Iraq needs to import almost $4 billion per year in food and medicine alone - more than twice the amount allocated to humanitarian needs under the food-for-oil-deal.
Meanwhile, those wanting to donate humanitarian supplies outside the food-for-oil deal (such as NGOs, individuals etc) are at risk of prosecution. This is particularly true in the US.
