Mr. President,
The humanitarian situation in Iraq, described in unequivocal terms in the report by the Secretary-General, gives rise to deep concern. The population of Iraq, in particular children, continues to face a serious nutritional and health situation. There is an urgent need to contain the risk of further deterioration.
Sweden fully supports the recommendation by the Secretary-General to extend the so called oil-for-food mechanism established by resolution 986 (1995). This mechanism is an important instrument to help alleviating the prevailing plight of the Iraqi population.
Improvements of the mechanism can and should be made. Sweden commends the initiative of the Secretary-General to conduct a thorough review of the oil-for-food programme and to submit a supplementary report in the beginning of 1998, containing his recommendations on ways to streamline the arrangements.
We support, and will actively contribute to, all endeavours aiming at achieving a more targeted, focussed and flexible approach to address the humanitarian situation in Iraq. An increase of the revenues through the sale of more oil, together with improvements of the implementation of the programme, could make this instrument more effective. In due time, Sweden would like this Council to be ready to consider favourably the recommendations by the Secretary-General to this effect.
At the same time, the oil-for-food programme can not alone satisfy all the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people. The Government of Iraq carries a heavy responsibility towards its population. Allocation of national resources to meet humanitarian needs is therefore both essential and required.
Sweden supports the draft resolution before us.
Thank you.