War in Iraq will trigger a humanitarian catastrophe fear Greens/EFA
The 14 Green and EFA MEPs, returning from Iraq on a cross party delegation from the European
Parliament, today stated that war in Iraq would trigger a humanitarian catastrophe in the region. On their visit
MEPs wanted to get a first hand impression of the humanitarian situation in the country by meeting ordinary
citizens, international NGOs and UN Agencies. Green Belgian MEP Paul Lannoye, leader of the delegation said today:
"We saw that due
to sanctions, children malnutrition is widespread and food shortages are a daily problem for everybody. We also
witnessed ever increasing health problems, particularly in the South, where congenital malformations and
children leukaemia have reached a peak. Should the data we were given be confirmed, we will be facing a
worsening health situation. In such already appalling conditions a war would trigger a humanitarian catastrophe,
whose consequences are not fully perceived by the world.
As regards the Oil for Food
Program, UN Agencies confirmed the full co-operation of the Iraqi government. But we saw that this program is
too limited and is hindering local production and does not meet the real needs of the population. Economic
sanctions should be lifted if we want to give some hope to the Iraqi people.
UN
inspectors are not yet able to fulfil their tasks to disarm Iraq. As long as inspectors can continue their work,
there is no risk that Iraq might develop clandestine programs of weapons of mass destruction. We therefore call
for an extension of the mandate giving the inspectors the possibility to complete their operations. Their
presence is a guarantee of peace."