Iraq: Security Council approves 180-day extension of 'oil-for-food' programme

Determined to improve the humanitarian situation in Iraq, the Security Council today voted unanimously to extend the United Nations "oil-for-food" programme for a new period of 180 days, beginning on 1 December.

The programme 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."

The Council also reaffirmed the obligation of all States to enforce the sanctions against Iraq, and stressed Baghdad's obligation to cooperate with the implementation of the resolution.

In addition, the Council reaffirmed "its commitment to a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, including any clarification necessary for the implementation of resolution 1284."

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.