More Iraqi children die as a result of continued UN sanctions

Statistics gathered by the Iraqi Ministry of Health said yesterday in Baghdad that some 6,495 children under five and another 2,230 persons above the age of 50 died during July after being infected by various diseases resulting from the embargo on Iraq.

The statistics elaborated that 2,574 children died as a result of diarrhea; 1081 of lung disease and 2,840 children died as a result of malnutrition; 661 of the elderly died of heart disease and high blood pressure, 223 of diabeties and 1,346 of cancer.

Meanwhile, Iraqi - Spanish joint committee will meet before the end of the current year. The meeting will be the first since 1990 with the objective of developing and expanding cooperation between the two countries.

The decision to convene such a meeting was taken during the meeting between the Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan and the Spanish charge d'affairs in Baghdad on Monday.

Spain reopened its embassy in Baghdad in March 1997. Since 1996 several Spanish business delegations have visited Baghdad to sign trade contacts in the context of the oil-for-food accord.