April 17, 2003

Allied forces were accused by human rights organisations yesterday (April 16) of using cluster bombs in populated areas of Baghdad and caring more about protecting oil reserves than the welfare of the Iraqi people.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the United States Central Command should respond to a report that it had admitted using the bombs in urban areas of Baghdad when targeting Iraqi artillery and missile systems.

The U.S. magazine Newsday said several children were killed or injured, adding that use of the bombs had been anonymously confirmed by a Central Command spokeswoman. Kenneth Roth, executive director of HRW, said it was "a serious charge and the Pentagon must respond publicly to it".

In London, Amnesty International accused Britain and the US of working harder to protect Iraqi oil wells than the Iraqi people. It said the Allies must restore law and order in Iraq to live up to claims that the war was meant to protect human rights. It also called on the United Nations to deploy human rights monitors.

Irene Khan, general secretary of Amnesty, said: "The human rights of the Iraqi people have been used as a selective and convenient cover to undertake military action. Now it is pay-up time."

Terry Kirby writes for the Independent of London. This story is published by arrangement with the Independent syndicate.