DATE=12/17/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-243150 TITLE=INDIA / IRAQ (L-ONLY) BYLINE=DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN DATELINE=NEW DELHI CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: INDIA HAS CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO THE U-S LED AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ. VOA NEW DELHI CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN HAS THE STORY. TEXT: PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE, IN A STATEMENT RELEASED TO PARLIAMENT, SAYS THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT IS GRAVELY CONCERNED AND DEPLORES THESE AIR STRIKES. HE SAYS THE ATTACK RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCEDURES OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL AND UNDERMINES THE COUNCIL'S ABILITY TO VERIFY IRAQ'S COMPLIANCE WITH RELEVANT COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. MR. VAJPAYEE CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO THE MILITARY ACTION AND A RESUMPTION OF DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNITED NATIONS. MR. VAJPAYEE SAYS INDIA HAS BEEN DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE AND HAS CALLED FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IN COORDINATION WITH IRAQ'S COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. MANY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE STATEMENT AND CALLED FOR A STRONGER RESPONSE BY THE GOVERNMENT. OPPOSITION CONGRESS PARTY LEADER SHARAD PAWAR SAYS THE ACTION SHOULD BE CONDEMNED AND OTHER LAWMAKERS DESCRIBED THE STRIKE AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE ARROGANCE OF POWER. INDRAJIT GUPTA, A LEADER OF THE INDIAN COMMUNIST PARTY, SAYS THE ATTACKS ARE A DEVICE BY PRESIDENT CLINTON TO DELAY HIS IMPEACHMENT BY THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. /// REST OPT /// THE UNITED STATES THURSDAY LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILE ATTACKS ON IRAQ IN THE FIRST PHASE OF A CAMPAIGN AIMED AT WRECKING THE COUNTY'S CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM. THE ATTACKS FOLLOW WEDNESDAY'S EVACUATION OF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS FROM BAGHDAD AFTER THEY ACCUSED IRAQ OF HALTING COOPERATION. (SIGNED) NEB/DAB/KL 17-Dec-98 7:30 AM EST (1230 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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