June 28, 1999
Web posted at: 9:43 p.m. EDT (0143 GMT)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Although the U.N. Security Council renewed debate Monday on reaching a conclusion to nine years of economic sanctions against Iraq, residents of Baghdad expressed little hope that life will get easier any time soon.

Baghdad papers condemned a British proposal to partially lift sanctions while a new U.N. body resumes weapons inspections.

They called the proposal just another way of continuing "oppressive conditions" on Iraq.

The U.N. ban on trade and air travel -- imposed in 1990 after Iraq invaded Kuwait -- has left the country poor and isolated.

A visible sign of the sanctions: Power cuts for up to 18 hours a day in some cities.

"The embargo hurts everyone in Iraq, and the responsibility lies with America," said Abdullah Mahmoud, as he sat in a darkened Baghdad cafe.

By morning, the temperature had already reached 45 degrees Celsius (110 Fahrenheit). Outside, residents busily scoured an open-air market for what food items were available

The Iraq government -- which has vowed to reject any U.N. proposal that does not lift all sanctions against it -- has ordered its people to remain steadfast.

"We will always increase our production. We will always overcome difficulties," vowed Iraqi Oil Minister Amer Mohamed Rasheed.

Reporter James Martone contributed to this report.

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