Welsh Euro MPs Jill Evans and Eurig Wyn (Plaid Cymru - the Party of Wales) today voiced serious concerns about the plight of the Iraqi people as the conflict in the country intensified. The MEPs have called for an immediate ceasefire to be implemented to allow essential humanitarian aid to get through to those in need.

Reports from the country suggest that the security situation has not only put an end to the 'oil for food' programme, but is also preventing humanitarian aid from reaching areas of Iraq already under US control. The Kuwaiti Red Crescent has been trying to send aid convoys into areas of Iraq under US control for several days but these have failed to get through because of the security situation.

Jill Evans MEP, Plaid Cymru's leader in the European Parliament said:

"These latest reports of humanitarian aid failing to get through even to areas of the country under US control are a matter of serious concern. Goodness knows what the situation must be like in places such as Basra where reports have been coming through of serious difficulties with sanitation and the supply of clean water. This war is having a devastating effect on the lives of the Iraqi people, already impoverished and hungry after years of sanctions and mistreatment at the hands of Saddam Hussein's brutal regime."

"Innocent civilians should not be made to suffer in this way. That is why we are calling for the UN to negotiate an immediate ceasefire to allow essential humanitarian aid to reach those in most need."

Eurig Wyn MEP said:

"The plight of civilians in this conflict is pitiful. These latest reports of chaos in trying to get basic humanitarian aid even to US occupied Iraq are deeply troubling. We visited Iraq as part of a European delegation just a few weeks before the war began. Even then, the suffering of ordinary Iraqi people was plain for all to see."

"This conflict can only serve to worsen their plight. We need an immediate cease fire to allow aid agencies to get essential supplies through to those who are in desperate need."

Ends.