The embargo blocks a humanitarian flight

ROME – The first Italian humanitarian flight to Baghdad after the bombing on Friday 16 February was canceled at the last minute. It had to bring almost three tons of drugs to Iraq: antibiotics, analgesics, gauze, plastic bags for the plasma, antitumorals destined for people in agony. The pretext that blocked the take-off of the plane, scheduled yesterday morning from the Roman airport of Ciampino, was the failure to authorize the UN Committee for sanctions against Iraq. The objection was raised by the United States that found fault not on the principle of humanitarian flight, but on the airline that would take the mission participants to Baghdad. The Committee would have expressed reservations for the country of origin of the carrier, Moldova. In other words, the Americans suspect the airline – Mold Transavia – of being involved in illegal trafficking. “We asked for the authorization of the UN and we informed the Foreign Ministry. Once we received the ok, we took action to get a Tupolev from Moscow with which to load everything and reach Baghdad. Shortly before take-off, initially scheduled for noon, the cold shower arrived », explains Father Benjamin of the Beato Angelico Foundation in Assisi, one of the organizers of the flight that was to bring about ninety humanitarians, politicians (including the leader of the Communist Refoundation in the Senate, Russo Spena), businessmen and journalists. “I’m baffled: the Foreign Ministry must have received pressure from the United States and Great Britain for this humanitarian flight not to take place so as not to let the world know the effects of the embargo and the bombing of depleted uranium in Iraq ». Russo Spena’s reaction lasts: «Maybe Colin Powell ordered Dini to stop the flights that break the embargo. Is our government an accomplice or a subject? ” “The organization of the flight cost $ 140,000,” said Giorgio Gili, administrator of the Ifc, the company that organized the mission and is considering the possibility of taking legal action against the Foreign Ministry. But from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs they let it be known that they followed the normal international procedures. And that on their part there was not the slightest intention to hinder the humanitarian flight.

February 24 2001