Iraq's UN allies launch move to soften sanctions

Iraq's UN allies launch move to soften sanctions
ASSOCIATED PRESS

UNITED NATIONS, SEPT 23: Iraq's UN allies have launched a campaign to chip away at sanctions imposed 10 years ago - sending flights to Baghdad in defiance of the US and Britain and demanding cuts in Iraqi payments to Gulf War victims.

The strategy by Baghdad's three key supporters on the Security Council - Russia, China and France - appears aimed at overcoming the deep divisions among council members that have stymied their efforts to ease the impact of trade sanctions on Iraq.

Russia sent a humanitarian flight to Baghdad today, its second in a week. It received authorization from the UN committee monitoring sanctions against Iraq for the first flight on September 17. But today's flight, carrying 143 passengers and medical supplies, went ahead without committee approval.

Ignoring objections from Washington and London, France sent a passenger flight to Baghdad yesterday, insisting there is no flight embargo, and France's UN Ambassador Jean-David Levitte said "there will be other flights."

There was no immediate response to the Russian flight.But calling the French action "a violation of the sanctions regime," US deputy ambassador James Cunningham said "we would hope it doesn't happen again, but I don'T have any confidence in that.

US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher went further, calling France's flight - the first in a decade to land in Baghdad without the approval of the UN - a "blatant violation" of sanctions and established UN procedures.

"London's reaction is one of surprise and regret that the French have not waited for a decision from the committee," said Britain's UN Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock.

Russia and France insist they are not violating sanctions, and are following UN procedures.

Levitte said Paris has for many years considered that there is no embargo on passenger or humanitarian flights to Iraq - and the only requirement is to inform the sanctions committee, which France did. Russia takes a similar view.

Russia's deputy UN ambassador Gennadi Gatilov said his government notified the sanctions committee 10 days ago about the planned flight carrying humanitarian supplies - but was not seeking authorization.

"From the legal point of view, we believe we have the right to send it," he told the Associated Press.

Russia's state-controlled airline Aeroflot is also negotiating with Iraq on resuming flights to Baghdad, and Jordan is reportedly also considering resuming air service.