Soon, a Trickle of Aid to Needy Iraqis

The grim conditions under which so many Iraqis have lived since Saddam Hussein was defeated in the Persian Gulf War in 1991 may soon be eased. Agreement has finally been reached to allow Iraq to export up to $2 billion worth of oil every six months, with revenues to be devoted mainly to imports of food, medicines and other essential commodities in short supply. U.N. monitors will oversee distribution of these goods to make sure they reach ordinary and long-suffering Iraqis instead of being diverted to favored members of the ruling Baath Party, the security services and the military, the props of Hussein’s regime.

Iraq’s oil exports virtually ended more than six years ago, after its invasion of Kuwait led to U.N. economic sanctions. Controlled exports could have resumed two years ago, but Baghdad killed the deal by refusing to allow U.N. oversight, which it claimed would be an insult to its sovereignty. Iraq continues to fall short of full compliance with key Security Council resolutions calling for the elimination of its weapons of mass destruction, and so long as that continues, broader sanctions will remain in effect. But at least now it appears some humanitarian aid will begin to reach those who most need it.