{
  "id": "98-680",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "98-680",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 105203,
      "date": "1998-08-13",
      "retrieved": "2016-05-24T20:52:46.879941",
      "title": "Iraq: Humanitarian Needs, Impact of Sanctions, and the \"Oil for Food\" Program",
      "summary": "Many private and international humanitarian agencies argue that under the U.N. sanctions, Iraqi\ncivilians, and especially children, suffer and die from lack of adequate food and medical supplies\ndespite the \"oil for food\" program and other international assistance. They argue that the sanctions\nare inhumane and should be lifted immediately. On the opposing side, defenders of international\npolicy argue that it is not the sanctions causing suffering but deliberate Iraqi policies diverting\nresources and even manipulating the humanitarian \"crisis\". Some also accuse Iraqi officials of\nexaggerating the level of suffering. They point out that Iraq can end the sanctions at any time by\nmeeting the conditions of its 1991 surrender. \n  The U.N. Security Council established the \"oil for food\" program in December 1996 to alleviate\nthe impact of sanctions on the civilian population. Since December 1996, the program has been\nextended and amended to allow more oil to be sold in the face of evidence that civilian suffering\ncontinues, but Iraq alleges that the U.S. and British governments deliberately hold up the arrival of\nhumanitarian goods. The United States and Britain argue that the Iraqi government creates the\ndelays itself. \n  On June 4, 1998, the latest extension of the \"oil for food\" program began and will allow Iraq\nto sell oil worth up to $4.5 billion to import humanitarian goods and pay for their distribution during\nthis six month period, bringing the volume of permitted oil exports nearly to pre-Gulf war levels. \n  This report discusses the conflicting views on the extent and causes of human suffering in Iraq\nand the reliability of data. It describes and assesses the \"oil for food\" program, its operation, impact\nand perceived shortcomings.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/98-680",
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      ],
      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}