Iraq gets fresh U.N. concessions

UNITED NATIONS, DEC. 6. The U.N. Security Council has extended the four- year old `oil-for-food programme' for Iraq, granting some concessions that Baghdad was demanding, including faster delivery of electrical equipment, more fund for the poorest and additional $ 530 millions to help its ailing oil industry.

The Council has also agreed, in principle, to release up to 600 million Euros of Iraq's oil income in cash from the U.N. account, to train and pay maintenance workers in its already dilapidated oil industry. The opponents, however, said safeguards should be observed to ensure that the money did not reach the Iraqi Government. Iraq is expected to work with the U.N. and the Council's approval is needed to spend additional amount.

The unanimous resolution came on Tuesday, only hours before the programme was due to expire at midnight and after days of intense debate between Iraq's supporters, led by France and its opponent, headed by the U.S.

- PTI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : India may benefit from Iraq move
Next     : LTTE blows up bus, three killed