Iraq Slashes Food Rations, Putting Lives at Risk

[Barrett808]

Source: Inter Press Service

Iraq Slashes Food Rations, Putting Lives at Risk
Ahmed Ali and Dahr Jamail, Inter Press Service (IPS)

The Iraqi government announcement that monthly food rations will be cut by half has left many Iraqis asking how they can survive.

The government also wants to reduce the number of people depending on the rationing system by five million by June 2008.

...

But now the U.S.-backed Iraqi government has announced it will halve the essential items in the ration because of "insufficient funds and spiralling inflation."

The cuts, which are to be introduced in the beginning of 2008, have drawn widespread criticism. The Iraqi government is unable to supply the rations with several billion dollars at its disposal, whereas Saddam Hussein was able to maintain the programme with less than a billion dollars.

"In 2007, we asked for 3.2 billion dollars for rationing basic foodstuffs," Mohammed Hanoun, Iraq's chief of staff for the ministry of trade told al-Jazeera. "But since the prices of imported foodstuff doubled in the past year, we requested 7.2 billion dollars for this year. That request was denied."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/oneworld/20071227/wl_oneworld/65731564101198796661

[NOLALady]

1. Look at the bright side.

With Saddam gone, the citizens will not have to worry about obesity. Ain't democracy grand!

[tuckessee]

2. I bet the Occupiers are fat & well fed. n/t

[tuckessee]

3. I bet the Occupiers are fat & well fed. n/t

[Purveyor]

4. But wait. Bush is going to veto a defense bill just to protect some $25 billion the Iraqis have in

US banks.

Clip from the veto article:

The Iraqi government has warned that former U.S. prisoners of war from the first Gulf War might cite this legislation in an attempt to get money from the Iraqi government's reported $25 billion in assets now held in U.S. banks, they say.

[LynnTheDem]

5. Don't forget to send your "debt of gratitude" to Duhbya, people of Iraq!

You have him to thank for everything.

[LynnTheDem]

6. "Saddam Hussein was able to maintain the programme with less than a billion dollars"

Wow, the "msm" is now comparing bush to Saddam and guess who's (still) losing.

George W. bUsh; WORSE than Saddam Hussein.

[MisterP]

7. how very British: Smith and Rand join hands in a glorious paean to Bob Lytton (and Bob Murray) n/t

[rodeodance]

8. but Iraq has 20-30 MILLION in US banks--

Forum Name Latest Breaking News
Topic subject Bush to veto defense bill after Iraq objects
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3117835#3117835
3117835, Bush to veto defense bill after Iraq objects
Posted by rodeodance on Sat Dec-29-07 12:52 AM

Source: reuters

Bush to veto defense bill after Iraq objects

By Tabassum Zakaria Fri Dec 28, 3:33 PM ET

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President George W. Bush intends to veto defense legislation after Iraq objected to a provision that could freeze its assets in the United States if Americans sue the country, the White House said on Friday

Iraqi officials raised their concerns with U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker about 10 days ago and when administration officials took a closer look at the provision they agreed that it could pose "grave financial risk" for Iraq, tying up assets needed for reconstruction, the White House said.

Iraq also discussed with the United States the possibility of pulling its assets, about $20 billion to $30 billion, out of U.S. institutions if the defense policy bill became law, a senior administration official said on condition of anonymity..........

The Bush administration is concerned that the bill would re-open lawsuits filed against Iraq under Saddam Hussein, some going back to the first Gulf War, and tie up the assets of the post-Saddam government.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071228/pl_nm/bush_defense_dc ;_ylt=ArjTL2iBhimLOyk.CjA.Fzus0NUE

[ShockediSay]

9. Why do US always seem to be backing the corrupt? nt

[Didereaux]

10. the Petraeus Plan II, starve the bastards into submission!

[Thor_MN]

11. Wow, they ARE making progress on a GOP style government...

spiraling inflation, cuts in assistance programs, ineptitude... See, the surge IS working.

[boricua79]

12. no insufficient funds to pay mercs and contractors

If there was ONE thing I'd agree with using our money for is feeding the people and building infrastructure.