Aid staff anger over Iraq visas

Date: 10/01/02

EU OFFICIALS have vented frustration over how Iraq has taken almost a year to issue visas enabling a Commission team inspect how humanitarian aid is being used.

Three staff with the humanitarian aid office (ECHO) have finally been given the go-ahead for a long-planned visit to the country on 25 January - eight months after they first asked Saddam Hussein's government for visas.

Although the Commission had not formally protested over the delay, spokesman Michael Curtis confirmed that it was 'becoming an issue'.

'The Iraqis never gave an outright refusal,' he said. 'But they didn't seem to be in any hurry to issue the visas. In my experience, it's rare for Commission officials to have such difficulties.'

Led by Ruth Albuquerque, the team's aim is to monitor use of the €13 million it awarded to aid projects in Iraq last year. The three will hold talks with Baghdad authorities handling foreign aid issues but have no plans to meet any government ministers.

Staff with the humanitarian aid office (ECHO) have finally been given the go-ahead for a long-planned visit to Iraq, eight months after they first asked for visas.