IRAQ: OIL FOR FOOD PROGRAMME

(22 Aug 2000) Arabic/Nat XFA Iraq's vice president has made an unprecedented attack against the United Nations and the Arab League over the “Oil for Food“ programme. Taha Yassien Ramadan accused the U-N of failing to approve vital contracts, thereby delaying medicines and other lifesaving services desperately needed by the people of Iraq. The U-N was taking Iraq's fuel and giving little in return, Ramadan said, adding that Secretary General Kofi Annan was virtually in control of Iraq's central bank. The Oil for Food programme, which began in December 1996, is vital for maintaining monthly food rations, medicines, and services like water treatment, electricity, health and education. Ramadan also lashed out at Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, describing them as subservient, tools in the hands of the United States, responsible for prolonging the embargo and maintaining continuous air raids. He accused the Secretary General of the Arab League Esmat Abdul Majeed, of receiving bribes from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Esmat Abdul Majeed made his first and only visit to Iraq in 1998. He met with foreign minister Tariq Aziz. Ramadan made his comments after a cabinet meeting chaired by President Saddam Hussein. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) “Now I think, and after this grim picture of robbing Iraq's money, I believe it is important and it is the responsibility of officials of the Iraqi leadership that silence over this behaviour (that money generated by the oil-for-food programme is exploited for U-N purposes) cannot continue beyond this time.“ SUPER CAPTION: Taha Yassien Ramadan, Iraqi Vice President SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) “The Russian leadership have taken the decision to run regular flights to Iraq, and this has been consolidated now. The obstacle in the face of continuing these flights is Iraq's neighbouring countries, And now we are working with some of these state to solve this issue. God willing there will be a solution.“ SUPER CAPTION: Taha Yassien Ramadan, Iraqi Vice President SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) “Which contributes to implementing the aggression on Iraq and providing requirements of its implementation are the two regimes (Saudi and Kuwait) and without hesitation I say that bribery is a basic element in implementing this policy, including the Arab League and its Secretary General“. SUPER CAPTION: Taha Yassien Ramadan, Iraqi Vice President Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: