Iraq: security council approves 180-day extension of 'oil-for-food' program

The Security Council on Thursday voted unanimously to extend the United Nations "oil-for-food" program for a new period of 180 days, beginning on December 1.

The program authorizes Iraq to sell petroleum to generate resources for importing food, medicine and other essentials to help Iraqi civilians affected by the 11-year old sanctions against the country.

By the terms of the resolution, the Council also took note of a proposed Goods Review List, which is under consideration with a view to speeding up the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Iraq.

The Council decided it will "adopt the List and the procedures, subject to any refinements to them agreed by the Council in light of further consultations, for implementation beginning on 30 May 2002."

Adopted in 1999, that resolution created the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) to replace the former UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) and continue with the latter's mandate to disarm Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction, and to operate a system of ongoing monitoring and verification. To date, UNMOVIC has been unable to operate in Iraq.