Several times I've seen people defend the sanctions against Iraq by saying Hussein is the one who is causing the suffering since he could easily spend oil money to buy food and medicinal supplies. But instead he spends it on military hardware (because he's such a sadistic tyrant, it is inevitably pointed out) and trying to obtain weapons of mass destruction.
Is this true? I seem to remember some information being posted about some sort of UN committee that has to approve any such sales to Iraq, meaning that it is not simply within Hussein's power to buy food and medicine.
Which is it? Does anyone know?
Brett