Letter: Effects of UN policy on Iraq

Sir: The call of the Kuwaiti Ambassador (letter, 2 August) for the sanctions against Iraq to be continued is extremely unfortunate. It reflects a policy which is both inept and cruel vis-a-vis the innocent people of Iraq who have been the only effective victims of the sanctions.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has reported that 'large numbers of Iraqis have now food intakes lower than those of the population in the disaster stricken African countries'. 'The sanctions have caused persistent deprivation, severe hunger and malnutrition for a vast majority of the Iraqi population, particularly the vulnerable groups: children under five, expectant/nursing women, widows, orphans, the sick, the elderly and disabled'.

It seems that the Kuwaiti Ambassador has to be reminded that history, geography and common sense dictate that by being implacable and callous towards your neighbour, durable peace cannot be achieved.

Yours truly,

R. NADHMI

London, W14

2 August