Baghdad seeks to lift UN trade embargo rather than extending oil-for-food

Iraqi Oil Minister Amer Muhammad Rashid on Tuesday said his country does not seek to extend validity of the oil-for-food program, rather to lift the trade embargo imposed on it.

In New Delhi, where Rashid is taking part in the meetings of the Iraqi - Indian joint committee which started deliberations on Tuesday following a 10-year suspension to discuss trade and industrial relations between the two countries, he said this should be the last phase and the UN Security Council has to announce that Iraq has fulfilled it obligations so Iraq will be able to proceed naturally in exporting its oil without the imposed restrictions.

The oil-for-food agreement permits Iraq to sell a limited share of oil every six months in order to supply the purchase of humanitarian and medical needs for its citizens. Rashid stated, "With the passing of time, the US administration has realized that it can not destroy Iraq."

He added that many countries, especially those members at the UN Security Council, have increasingly realized the political game behind the continued sanctions. "Their claim was that Iraq does not fulfill its obligations. Therefore, our decision on August 5 that there are no more discussions, no more inspection," he said.