Sanctions harm only civilians

The US, however, was quick to prove once again Washington's disregard for international public opinion. "We have to see a lot more before we make any judgments about sanctions relief," said US presidential spokesman Mike McCurry on Tuesday.

The US has long insisted that its stand against Iraq is based on UN Security Council resolutions, although many American officials have openly said that the Iraqi regime must change before the sanctions are lifted. Now, at least three of the five permanent Security Council members -- Russia, France and China -- have clearly stated that they are in favour of lifting the sanctions. The Arab countries, including some Kuwaiti officials, have also condemned the sanctions, which have only harmed Iraqi civilians.

At the mass funerals organised by the Iraqi government nearly every week, an average of 40 of 50 children are buried. These funerals are not propaganda. The caskets borne by weeping relatives hold the bodies of children who could have survived had food and medicine been available. Humanitarian officials in Iraq warn that sanctions will have far-reaching effects on generations of Iraqis brought up suffering from malnutrition and an increasing sense of isolation.

The US should not be allowed to decide, alone, the fate of 18 million people. The world community must pressure Washington to respect its will. The US should also realise that economic sanctions and depriving people of food and medicine are not weapons to use against countries that refuse to fit in with its policies or strategies. Sanctions harm only civilians; they have never toppled any regime.