Andrews slams US on security as Red Cross cuts staff in Baghdad over safety

IRISH Red Cross chairman David Andrews said US forces were obliged by international law to protect humanitarian organisations, workers and aid agency staff from attack in Iraq.

The former foreign minister said yesterday security in Iraq, primarily for the Iraqi people as well as for humanitarian organisations, “needs to be upheld”.

He was speaking after the International Committee of the Red Cross announced the number of the organisation’s foreign staff in Baghdad was being reduced to about 50 because of the increased level of violence throughout the country and fears that US-led forces cannot ensure security.