Evidence from Iraq Contradicts Government Optimism - TONGE

4.48.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Apr 2003

Commenting on the recent news that the Iraqi Port of Umm Qasr is still blocked Jenny Tonge MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow International Development Secretary, said, "Umm Qasr is still blocked, the aid effort there has been described as "a shambles," only two humanitarian ships have so far docked and aid agencies are refusing to enter Iraq - so it's a mystery why Geoff Hoon can tell the House of Commons that he has seen no evidence of "critical food or water shortages"?"

"The army are doing a fantastic job in difficult circumstances. But the British Government should find no comfort in denying the problem.

"The coalition has a duty to prevent the war causing the humanitarian disaster forecast by the UN and aid agencies. I want the Government to tell me exactly how it is going to do this when only one other ship scheduled to dock in Umm Qasr, and huge doubt hangs over the effectiveness of the humanitarian corridors into Iraq."

END

For further information please contact Jenny Tonge on pager number 07699 734071 or Ellis Wilford: 0207 219 4596 or 219 5563

Notes to Editors follow

1. The port - the only deep water facility in Iraq - has not been dredged for three weeks and the build-up of silt is also stopping larger ships.

2. Insurers including Lloyd's of London are reluctant to issue cover to international aid organisations 10 days after the supply ship RFA Sir Galahad arrived.

3. The RFA Sir Percivale became only the second ship to dock at the war-torn town's huge port complex. It brought 300 tonnes of aid including fresh water, dried food and medical supplies.

4. The only other ship scheduled to dock in the next seven days is a similar medium-sized Spanish vessel.

5. A water pipeline opened last week in Umm Qasr to alleviate the shortage of drinking water - most Iraqis stockpiled 60 days worth of food in the build-up to the war.

6. On Friday, Patrick Nicholson of the UK charity Cafod has just returned from Umm Qasr, where he found the humanitarian effort in the British occupied area to be a "shambles". He continued, "The hospital has been without water for three days. Inside people were very angry with me because I was a westerner. They felt angry, frustrated and let down by the coalition."

7. On Monday, Geoff Hoon told the House of Commons, "We have not yet seen any indications that there are critical shortages of food or water."