DOCUMENT No. 15

Statement by the Prime Minister of Pakistan
on immediate Humanitarian Assistance by Pakistan for the People of Iraq

The People and Government of Pakistan are deeply concerned about plight of the Iraqi people and the emerging humanitarian crisis in Iraq. The military action in Iraq has compounded the problems of the already suffering Iraqi people who have lived under sanctions for over a decade. While our prime objective is the restoration of peace in Iraq, Pakistan has also in all its bilateral contacts as well as in the discussions in the Security Council stressed on the need t6 address tile humanitarian dimensions of the Iraqi situation.

While the primary responsibility for addressing the immediate and long term needs of the Iraqi people rests with the parties involved in the military conflict, the Government of Pakistan in an expression of solidarity with the people of Iraq, intends to provide assistance for the Iraqi people, as soon as possible. Pakistan has decided to offer humanitarian assistance for the Iraqi people. This relief will include rice, wheat, tents, ground tarpaulin, blankets, medicines and surgical equipment. Also medical teams may be sent to Iraq to assist in addressing immediate medical needs.

We are exploring all avenues for sending such humanitarian relief; including contacting all parties to the conflict. The modalities for the provision of this assistance are being worked out.

            The decision to send relief assistance is an expression of the solidarity of the People and Government of Pakistan with the Iraqi people in these difficult times in their history.

Islamabad, 28 March 2003.

<http://www.forisb.org/PR03-101.htm>