"A clear separation between humanitarian and military activities should be ensured," said a UN document released Thursday entitled: "General Guidance for Interaction Between United Nations Personnel and Military Actors in the Context of the Crisis in Iraq."

"This document is intended to provide practical guidance to UN personnel in their interaction with all military forces engaged in the Iraqi crisis, including Iraqi forces, those of neighboring countries, and forces of the US and its allies," it says.

It also provides "some initial guidance regarding relations with military forces that may also be organs of an occupying power in Iraq."

The document says UN humanitarian agencies "must retain the full control of UN humanitarian operations inside and outside Iraq.

"Agencies must ensure that their operational independence is guaranteed at all times," it says, citing freedom of movement, non-integration in military planning, and access to communications.

The guidelines instruct UN personnel not to fly the world body's light-blue flag at humanitarian aid facilities set up by occupying US forces.

UN personnel are also instructed not to use military escorts for humanitarian convoys or operations "except under extreme circumstances" and only with prior permission from UN headquarters.

Collaboration with Disaster Assistance and Response Teams (DART) will also be restricted in view of their "mixed military and civilian characteristics," according to the guidelines.

"A clear separation between humanitarian and military activities must be retained between the functions and roles of military and UN humanitarian actors at all times," the guidelines say.

They warn that otherwise "the perception of neutrality and impartiality of the UN" may be compromised, jeopardizing staff safety and security.

Humanitarian staff are urged to "maintain a clear UN identity at all times" such as by travelling only in clearly marked UN vehicles, and by clearly marking office and relief supplies.

Similarly, UN personnel are not to wear any "uniform-like clothing."

Mark Malloch-Brown, administrator of the UN Development Programsummed up the dress code as: "No vest or khaki slacks. I want UNDP people in jeans and T-shirt."

The guidelines also state that "UN personnel and agencies should not accept any armed guards for UN facilities and residence provided by belligerent forces."

The United Nations last week launched a worldwide appeal for 2.2 billion dollars for post-war Iraq, including 1.3 billion for food alone. It has already received pledges totaling 1.2 billion, a UN official said Thursday.

SPACE.WIRE