The Security Council extended the oil-for-food program for Iraq, as adjusted by its resolution 1472 (2003) and which was to expire on May 12, until June 3, 2003. It did so by unanimously adopting resolution 1476 (2003), through which the council decided that the provisions contained in paragraph 4 of resolution 1472 (2003) would remain in force until that date and might be subject to further renewal.
Under paragraph 4 of resolution 1472 (2003), the Council gave Secretary-General Kofi Annan more authority to administer the program by authorizing him, among other things, to establish alternative locations, both inside and outside Iraq, for the delivery of humanitarian supplies and equipment; to proceed with approved contracts after a review to determine the relative priorities of the need for adequate medicine, health supplies, foodstuffs and other materials; to negotiate and agree on necessary adjustments in approved contracts; and to negotiate and execute new contracts for essential medical items.
Other steps called for include: transferring unencumbered funds between accounts created pursuant to the program on an exceptional and reimbursable basis to ensure the delivery of essential humanitarian supplies; and using funds deposited in the accounts to compensate suppliers and shippers for agreed additional shipping, transportation and storage costs incurred as a result of diverting and delaying shipments.
The program, created in 1995 to ease the impact of the sanctions imposed following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, permitted Iraq to use part of its oil revenues for food and medicine and has been the only sustenance for some 60 percent of Iraq’s people. It was suspended on March 17, when the Secretary-General withdrew United Nations personnel from Iraq, just prior to the start of military action.
The Council has continued the program in 180-day periods called “phases”. The current oil-exporting period is phase XIII, authorized by Council resolution 1447 (2002), which came into effect on December 5, 2002 and runs through June 3, 2003. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
