04 October 1999


 
Text: UNSC Increases Amount of Oil Iraq is Allowed to Sell
 
(Increased sales will benefit Iraqi people, Says Amb. Soderberg) (490)

Increasing the amount of oil Iraq is allowed to sell under the
oil-for-food program will ensure that the Iraqi people continue to
benefit from the export of their country's oil, U.S. Ambassador to the
United Nations Nancy Soderberg said October 4.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution increasing
the amount of oil Iraq is allowed to sell in the current six-month
phase of the "oil-for-food" program. Under the terms of the resolution
Iraq will be allowed to sell an additional $3,040 million in oil by
November 21, raising the total from $5,256 million to $8,296 million.
The money from the oil sales, which are closely monitored by the
United Nations, is to be used to buy humanitarian supplies for Iraqi
civilians and offset the costs of other programs resulting from Iraq's
invasion of Kuwait.

The resolution, which was sponsored by the United States, allows Iraq
to take advantage of increased oil prices and make up for shortfalls
during earlier periods when oil prices were low and Iraq's oil
industry was in need of repair and unable to pump to capacity.

"The United States remains committed to the goal of addressing the
humanitarian situation in Iraq, even as we continue to seek compliance
by the Iraqi government with its obligations under the resolutions of
the Security Council," Soderberg said.

Following is the text of the ambassador's remarks:

(begin text)

Statement by Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, Alternate Representative for
Special Political Affairs of the United States Mission to the United
Nations, on Iraq: Oil Ceiling Resolution, in the Security Council,
October 4, 1999

The United States appreciates the excellent work of Ambassador van
Walsum and his team to ensure that the Security Council dealt with
this important humanitarian issue in a timely and effective manner.

The United States remains committed to the goal of addressing the
humanitarian situation in Iraq, even as we continue to seek compliance
by the Iraqi government with its obligations under the resolutions of
the Security Council.

This important humanitarian resolution will ensure that the Iraqi
people continue to benefit from the export of their country's oil,
particularly in light of the higher world oil prices in recent months.
The resolution does not alter the overall structure of the
oil-for-food program, but will help redress the shortfall brought
about by the lower world oil prices during Phase IV and Phase V of the
program.

This resolution, adopted with the consensus support of all Council
members will serve a goal we all share: continuing provision of foods,
medicine and other essential humanitarian assistance to the citizens
of Iraq.

This resolution is an important indicator of Council consensus on
Iraq. We look forward to continuing efforts to broaden and strengthen
that consensus with respect to all aspects of the Iraq issue.

(end text)