UN chief calls for raising Iraqi oil exports value

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday submitted a proposal to the UN Security Council providing for raising the value of allowed Iraqi oil exports by US $1 billion in the context of the oil-for-food program.

AFP reported that Annan said in the report he submitted to the UN Security Douncil that the mortality rate among Iraqi children has doubled in the past ten years, noting that the ceiling of exports, currently set at US $5.2 billion, every six months should be raised to enable Baghdad to import more basic foodstuffs.

The oil-for-food program which has been enacted since 1995 permits Iraq, under the auspices of the UN, to export limited amounts of oil and to use two thirds of the revenues to buy basic foodstuffs, especially foodstuffs and medicines.