THE GULF WAR: The Battle Front : Humanitarian Mission

Iraq for the first time has asked the United Nations to send a HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO BAGHDAD to evaluate food shortages and medical needs, but it is unlikely any U.N. staff will go while bombing continues. The U.N. sanctions committee raised the possibility of such a mission in November, and Iraq responded Jan. 14, two days before the war broke out. Under Security Council resolutions, medical supplies are permitted to enter the country but food is prohibited, except for humanitarian reasons and subject to U.N. or Red Cross review.