COMMENT

Richard Branson flew one of his Virgin Atlantic planes to Basra, Iraq, on Thursday. It was loaded with 60 tons of medical equipment and supplies for the shattered hospitals and clinics in the area of Iraq under British control. At about the same time a C-130 transport aircraft, also loaded with emergency medical supplies, was waiting to take off from a Belgian airport for Baghdad International Airport which is controlled by US forces. The C-130 plane has been ready to leave since last Tuesday but cannot get clearance from the American authorities; it is not now expected to depart until next Tuesday. The European Commission, which is responsible for this humanitarian mission, said yesterday that the flight had been delayed after the US had insisted on “major changes to the flight plan”. Asked why it would take until next Tuesday to obtain clearance, a Commission spokesman said, “I think that's a question you will have to ask the American authorities.” The C-130 is a Belgian military aircraft and some observers think that the delay in clearing its flight plan may not be unconnected with Belgium's anti-war stance over Iraq and its initiative in calling a meeting last week to discuss an EU military force separate from Nato. If that is the case it is disgraceful; scoring political points at the expense of Iraqis needing medical attention is unacceptable. If the facts are otherwise, the United States should quickly explain why the C-130 cannot leave at once.