Britain and US propose lifting Iraq import controls

Britain and the United States are proposing that most controls on Iraqi imports be lifted, except for specific military-related items, to ease the suffering of civilians and strengthen the effectiveness of weapons-related sanctions, diplomats said today.

‘‘This will mean Iraq will be free to meet all its legitimate civilian needs from food to car parts,’’ said a British official. ‘‘But controls will be retained, hopefully with a renewed and strengthened international consensus, on military and weapons-related goods, which would allow the Iraqi regime to threaten its people and its neighbours.’’