Iraq accuses U.S. and Britain of obstructing oil-for-food agreement

Iraqi Minister of Health Medhat Mubarak accused the U.S.A and Britain of obstructing the ratification of contracts that would allow Iraq to purchase medicine according to oil-for-food agreement.

He added, "The representatives in the sanction committee agree on a part of the contract and refuse another part with the pretext of asking more information," thus frustrating Iraqi efforts to finish the contracts. He said that contracts for purchasing medicine in the fourth stage of the oil-for-food agreement had begun to be reviewed but the committee continues obstructing them.

He said that Iraqi Health Ministry statistics indicate that Iraqi children's mortality rates have increased 16 times during the last nine years because of the embargo. A report issued by the ministry said that 6,495 children died last July compared to 387 children who died in July 1989.