Middle East still suffering from Gulf War

This is a historic week for the United States. The 10th anniversary of the Gulf War was recently commemorated. This was the war that sent Iraq out of Kuwait and former president George Bush's approval rating to its highest. \nThough the United Nations imposed the sanctions against Iraq after the war, the United States -- Bush, in particular -- supported them.\n Ten years later, problems still persist in the troubled region. \n For most Iraqis, the war is largely a chapter in history, but a far more pressing issue are the consequences of the sanctions.\nMillions of children have died, many of them too young to have been around during the war. The United Nation's oil-for-food program, which Saddam Hussein grudgingly accepted five years ago, has helped provide Iraq's 23 million people with basic food and has put more medicine in hospitals and pharmacies. Iraq's economy, while still weak, is more stable than at any time in the past decade.\nBut Iraq complains the program is inadequate. Iraq has sold $40 billion worth of oil under the program, but has received only $10 billion worth of goods, according to U.N. figures.\nThe remaining $30 billion has gone to pay war reparations, assist the Kurds in northern Iraq and pay for the U.N. operation. And, Iraq has ordered billions of dollars worth of goods that have been either slow in arriving or have been delayed by the U.N. sanctions committee, which must approve all Iraqi purchases.\nOn Kuwait's side, the country has yet to learn the fate of more than 600 people the government calls prisoners of war. Although Iraq denies the charge, Kuwait insists they are being held as hostages. \nKuwaiti doctors noted a dramatic rise in lung cancers and respiratory diseases they blame on a toxic fog that lasted six months, until the oil fires were put out. Psychological trauma still marks many survivors of the invasion. \nKuwait's 750,000 citizens depended heavily on a work force of 450,000 Palestinians, mostly skilled workers and managers, and even more imported short-term Asian laborers. \nThe emir dissolved Parliament in 1986 to rule by decree. Kuwaitis who resisted the occupation hoped to be rewarded after the war with a more democratic, better governed country. \nParliament was reinstated in 1992, but now many Kuwaitis call that a mixed blessing. Eight years after the war, when the emir proposed a law to give women the vote, Parliament blocked it. \nTo cope with 15,000 university graduates a year, officials maintain full employment by creating pointless state jobs. About 94 percent of Kuwaitis work for the government, and salaries absorb half the budget. \nEconomists insist something must change soon. With population increases, the government can no longer pay benefits and subsidies that Kuwaitis claim as their oil-given birthright. \nKuwait University charges no tuition, and even builds shelters where students' drivers can escape the fierce heat while waiting for class to end. \nDespite some advancements since the war, life in both countries has been difficult.\nTomorrow, another Bush will take office. In the era of compassionate conservatism, will he end the sanctions that his father helped impose?