SADDAMS BAZAAR

Amidst the bluster and brouhaha surrounding United Nations arms inspec tors in Iraq, the currently pressing but less visible United Nations h umanitarian oil-for-food programme has been virtually ignored by a war -mongering western media. Disproportionate press attention has focused on the mental health of the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, and not eno ugh on the physical health of the Iraqi population who have borne the brunt of a debilitating embargo that has just entered its eighth year. UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, recently recommended a two-and-a-ha lf fold increase in the amount of oil Iraq can sell to purchase vital food and medicines.