Iraq: Military action a last resort, says Commissioner Poul Nielson

national | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday February 26, 2003 17:10 by ManusB

In a statement to the European Parliament on 12 February 2003, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Mr Poul Nielson explained that the European Commission supported a multilateral approach and gave its backing to the UN's efforts for a peaceful resolution. He said military action was a last resort.

Commissioner Poul Nielson recalled that after two wars and years of international sanctions, the situation in Iraq was already extremely precarious. War would have a disastrous consequence for the rest of the region, leading to huge movements of refugees and an increase in tension in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mr Poul Nielson explained that the European Commission was studying contingency measures, and maintaining close contacts with its humanitarian partners in the field. He also emphasised that, should there be war, any subsequent humanitarian assistance must be seen as neutral and impartial. For this reason it was essential that the armed forces should not be involved in its delivery, nor assist other agencies with aid distribution.

ECHO support for Iraq
Commissioner Poul Nielson confirmed that apart from the 'Oil for Food Programme' (funded with Iraqi money) the European Commission is the country's most important external donor.

Over the last 10 years the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), for which Commissioner Poul Nielson is responsible, has given €156 million worth of aid. In June 2002, ECHO approved €13 million for health, water and sanitation facilities. For 2003 it has allocated €15 million, which will benefit an estimated 7 million people