Washington may also be edging toward a change in sanctions that have isolated Iraq since the end of the Gulf War in 1991. Bush and his British counterpart, Prime Minister Tony Blair, are expected to discuss the sanctions when they meet this weekend at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, according to a State Department official. The proposed changes would come amid criticisms that existing sanctions have caused a humanitarian disaster in Iraq, leading to the death of more than 1 million people. Britain and the United States have blamed Saddam's policies for the situation. Washington and London, the two enforcers of Iraq's isolation, insist they will maintain sanctions until Baghdad complies with cease-fire resolutions established after the war, and allows U.N. weapons inspectors to oversee the elimination of its weapons of mass destruction.
Recent reports suggest further softening of the sanctions policy on Iraq.
Surcharges on Iraqi oil, imposed by the United States and the U.N. sanctions authorities, have dropped from 50 cents per barrel to 25 and 30 cents a barrel for February or March deliveries, MEES reported. One U.S. firm was among those recently buying Iraqi oil, MEES said. Despite the premium charges, Iraq's high-quality crude oil is more attractive to buyers in the West and Asia because its price has been reduced several times since the first of the year. Iraq's critics frequently point out that Saddam is actually using much of his oil income to buy arms and to enrich himself and his family. However, sanctions have in the past been only one part of the plan to contain Saddam.