wfn.org | Sanctions against Iraq are immoral, delegation says

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Titile:  Sanctions against Iraq are immoral, delegation says

May 20, 1998	Contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
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NEW YORK (UMNS) - The economic sanctions imposed upon  Iraq since 1990
are immoral and are taking a particular toll on children, according to a
Church World Service (CWS) delegation that visited the country recently.

The delegation made a presentation during the May 18-19 executive
committee meeting of the National Council of Churches. CWS, the
organization's relief agency, has delivered nearly $3 million in
humanitarian aid since 1991 to Iraq and other countries affected by the
Persian Gulf crisis.

Used by the United Nations to pressure Iraqi President Saddam Hussein,
the sanctions instead have brought "enormous suffering" to an innocent
population, the delegation reported. The group's visit occurred during
Holy Week in April.

"These are the most prolonged and intense set of sanctions ever imposed
on a nation," said David Weaver, CWS Middle East director.

Since the sanctions began, about 1.2 million to 1.5 million children
under the age of 5 have died, mostly from malnutrition and lack of
medicine for treatable infections. Before 1990, about 500 children under
age 5 died each month. Since then, the death rate has risen to 6,500 a
month.

Led by the Rev. Rodney Page, CWS executive director, the delegation saw
the suffering firsthand. As he and leaders of other relief agencies
entered a ward at Ibn Biladi Hospital, an infant girl died before their
eyes.

"I have seen people living under all sorts of difficult conditions all
over the world, but I have never seen death stare at me in the eyes of a
little baby," Page said afterward.

The malnourished girl died of a chest infection that could have been
cured if ordinary antibiotics had been available, he added. During the
hospital visit, Page was surrounded by mothers who pressed prescriptions
into his hands, pleading for medicine and milk for their children.

While Iraq can purchase food and medicine under an "oil for food" deal
with the United Nations, the U.N. delivery of supplies has lagged,
according to Weaver. Iraqis are beginning to receive almost enough rice,
flour, sugar and cooking oil, but their diet remains deficient in animal
protein, calcium and needed vitamins, he noted. Children, in particular,
are vulnerable to infections.

In addition to medical supplies, CWS has provided about $250,000 worth
of blankets and $75,000 worth of layettes for Iraq. Currently, each of
Iraq's 28,000 hospital beds has a CWS blanket, according to Weaver.

CWS is raising money to help meet a goal of $2.2 million for
humanitarian assistance set by Action by Churches Together (ACT). ACT is
an international coalition that includes CWS and the United Methodist
Committee on Relief. The Middle East Council of Churches distributes the
aid in Iraq.

Contributions may be sent to CWS at P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.

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