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A lot of unanswered questions about what the proposals involve, but the article claims we should see a draft resolution by "next week". BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1334000/1334743.stm Wednesday, 16 May, 2001, 18:35 GMT 19:35 UK Allies seek easing of Iraq sanctions By the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Barnaby Mason Britain and the United States are proposing to end the United Nations ban on the supply of goods to Iraq, with the exception of military and weapons-related equipment. This is a significant change of policy towards Iraq. British officials say they will be circulating a draft Security Council resolution in New York next week. At the same time, discussions are being held with countries in the Gulf region to tighten border controls on Iraq. Controls The proposals are the result of a review of policy towards Iraq conducted by the new Bush administration and discussions among members of the Security Council. The idea is to incorporate the changes into the regular six-monthly resolution renewing the arrangement under which Iraq is allowed to buy food, medicine and other supplies under what's called oil-for-food. This time, British officials say, the resolution due at the beginning of June would in effect remove sanctions from what they call ordinary imports into Iraq. Controls would remain on a list of weapons-related items. It is a significant change: from a system where Iraq cannot import anything unless it is permitted, to one where it can import everything except what is prohibited. It is not known how many items will be on the banned list. Existing Security Council resolutions remain in place, and the relaxation would have to be renewed like the oil-for-food programme every six months. The US and Britain are also insisting on maintaining the controls on Iraq's oil revenues, which have to be paid into a special UN account. Of course, the Iraqi Government cannot be compelled to buy the civilian supplies the UN says it needs - but if it does not, British officials say, it will be absolutely clear that it is President Saddam Hussein who is inflicting suffering on his people. The officials say the aims of the proposed resolution are widely shared. But the attitude of the French and the Russians is not yet clear. The other part of the plan is an effort to tighten up border controls on Iraq to prevent military-related material being smuggled in. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq For removal from list, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk Full details of CASI's various lists can be found on the CASI website: http://www.casi.org.uk