United Nations: The United Nations Security Council has extended the oil-for-food programme for Iraq by only nine days instead of the usual six month period as diplomats failed to resolve differences between the United States and other members.

The need for a short extension arose as the programme's mandate was due to end at midnight on November 25.

The short extension would give time to diplomats to negotiate on the American demand that some more items be added to the list of the dual use products for the import of which Iraq required Council clearance.

These include the antibiotics, Cipro or Cipro floxacin hydrochloride and Atropine. Cipro is used after exposure to Anthrax and Atropine as an antidote for nerve gas.

The "dual-use" items, those can be used in both military and civilian sectors, require clearance by the Council. The United States now wants to expand that list.

The United States fears that if Iraq has the two medicines readily available, it might resort to chemical or biological attack in case US takes military action against Iraq.

The oil-for-food programme allows Iraq to sell unlimited quantity of oil but the earnings have to deposited in an escrow account established by the United Nations. Payment for Iraqi imports of food and medicines as also other essential commodities is made from this account.

The programme permits Iraq to export crude oil under UN supervision and to use part of the revenue to import goods that would otherwise be banned under a punishing trade embargo slapped on it after it invaded Kuwait in August 1990.

PTI