ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN BAGHDAD

File: cia_70566_70566_02.txt
Page: 02
Total Pages: 2
Subject: ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN BAGHDAD  
Not Finally Evaluated Intelligence 
 
TO FACILITATE ELECTRONIC ACCESS, THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN 
REFORMATTED TO ELIMINATE INFORMATION THAT DOES NOT PERTAIN 
TO GULF WAR ILLNESS ISSUES OR THAT IS CLASSIFIED. A COPY OF 
THIS REDACTED DOCUMENT, IN ORIGINAL FORMAT, IS AVAILABLE ON 
REQUEST. 
 
                      SUGAR (1 KG) ID 6. 00 
                      BREAD (1 SMALL LOAF) ID 1.00 
                      FLOUR (1 KG) ID 10.00 
                      RICE (1KG) ID 4.00 
                      MEAT (SHEEP - 1 KG) ID 12.00 
                      CHICKEN (1 KG) ID 8.00 
                      TEA (1 KG) ID 20.00 
                      EGGS (1 CARTON OF 30) ID 12.00 
                      MILK (2 KG) ID 30.00 
                      TOMATOES (1 KG) ID 4.00 
                      CUCUMBERS (1 KG) ID 3.00 
                      POTATOES (1 KG) ID 3.00 
                      BANANAS (1 BANANA) ID 2.00 
                      APPLES (i KG) ID 10.00 
                      DATES-(l KG) ID 5.00 
                      BOTTLED WATER (1 BOTTLE) ID 2.00 
                      CIGARETTES (1 PACK) ID 6.00 
                      ONE BOTTLE OF JOHNNY WALKER 
                      BLACK SCOTCH WHISKEY ID 100.00 
                      GASOLINE (1 LITER) ID 10.00 
 
COMMENT: MOST OF THE GASOLINE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE IS 
MIXED WITH WATER.) 
 
3. MEDICINE CONTINUES TO  BE IN SHORT SUPPLY AND MOST 
CIVILIAN HOSPITALS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR, LACK OF SUPPLIES AND 
TRAINED PERSONNEL. MILITARY HOSPITALS ARE OPEN BUT MAY 
ACCEPT CIVILIAN PATIENTS ONLY IN LIFE OF DEATH SITUATIONS 
ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT GUARANTEED.  SOME QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL 
HOSPITALS SUCH AS IBN NAFEES, IBN BITAR, AND THE CHRISTIAN 
NUNS HOSPITAL (MUSTASHA AL-RAHIBAT) CONTINUE TO OFFER 
LIMITED OUTPATIENT SERVICES.  AS A RESULT OF THE LACK OF 
ADEQUATE FACILITIES AND  PERSONNEL, BAGHDAD HAS EXPERIENCED 
INCREASING NUMBERS OF CASES OF CHOLERA, TYPHOID, AND 
RHEUMATISM  
4. FINANCIAL SERVICES IN BAGHDAD REMAIN RESTRICTED AND THE 
FEW BANKS THAT ARE OPEN WILL ONLY ALLOW CUSTOMERS WITH LARGE 
DEPOSITS TO WITHDRAW UP TO 500.00 IRAQI DINARIS (ID) PER 
MONTH.  CONSUMER GOODS, WHILE AVAILABLE, NOW SELL FOR HIGHER 
THAN NORMAL PRICES. EXPORTED GOODS SUCH AS CLOTHING, SHOES, 
AND TOYS, COMMAND PRICES APPROXIMATELY 50-60 PERCENT HIGHER 
THAN NORMAL. 
 
5. COMMENT: THE RETURN OF LARGE NUMBERS OF TROOPS FROM 
KUWAIT AND SOUTHERN IRAQ IS ALSO BEGINNING TO CAUSE STRAINS 
IN BAGHDAD'S ECONOMY.  BECAUSE OF LIMITED COMMERCIAL 
ACTIVITY, UNEMPLOYMENT IN BAGHDAD HAS INCREASED TO 
APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT; MANY OF THOSE OUT OF WORK ARE 
SOLDIERS WHO HAVE BEEN DEMOBILIZED.)