Iraq to scrap subsidized food rations by June (millions of Iraqis will be affected)

Source: Azzaman

The government has decided to end the rationing food program which has staved millions of Iraqis from starvation.

The decision, the government said, was in line with the obligations it has made to the World Bank.

But Finance Ministry officials, refusing to be named, said they opposed the move and feared it could lead to unexpected hikes in food prices.

...

The food rationing system was started by former leader Saddam Hussein to offset the hardships emanating from U.N. trade sanctions.

For nearly 13 years, the program continued without hiccups with the United Nations praising it as the world’s largest and most effective relief effort.

But the program run into serious trouble since U.S. troops landed in Baghdad. The volume of rations was slashed several times and food failed to reach many beneficiaries.

...

The government took the decision without parliamentary approval.

Analysts say millions of Iraqis will be affected particularly families with no income earners and the jobless currently estimated at about 40 of the workforce.



Read more: http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news/2008-01-30/kurd1.htm

So, millions will starve for what, again? It just keeps getting worse and worse.

puppet government in Iraq.

never forget, the war never stopped since gulf war 1

USA! USA! USA!

:sarcasm:

for years the people in the countryside starved because the rich no longer needed them. they had oil and servants to do their bidding. it was`t till saddam overthrew the system did the iraq`s become a viable country and the people were fed. the nation became a first world country under saddam. since the first gulf war the policy of every president has lead to the murder of millions of innocent iraqi citizens. what is the purpose...to control the wealth of the second largest oil fields on earth.

:toast:

a program on the history of iraq..the brits were worse than we are

and oddly enough it would appear that the best time the locals had was while Saddam had the reins because what had preceeded him amd subsequently followed was worse.

of course in doing so has to submit to the WB/IMF privatization rules which kills any safety net programs for the masses. Iraq is being set up to be a profit center for global investors with the sole objective of maximizing profits.

Any wonder the US encourages this Iraqi WB/IMF borrowing.

He knows how to squeeze a country to get it to do the U.S.' bidding.

The WB/IMF was put in place after WWII to make sure developing nations resources are placed into the hands of the global elite.

Wolfowitz was just a perfect pick for the position.

required to see that Iraq's major problem is caused by government food subsidies -- and to understand that Iraq's economy would be sailing splendidly along today, if only more Iraqis were motivated by hunger.

Amazing enough, analysts at the World Bank were able to provide these brilliant insights into Iraq's present difficulties, without needing to spend much time in Iraq itself, indeed without seeing or speaking to the bombed and tortured refugees who bear the brunt of the government's cruel policy of artificially lowering food prices. We all must look forward, of course, to the day these penetrating thinkers stroll the streets of Baghdad to enjoy the candy and flowers with which Iraqis traditionally welcome their foreign benefactors