DATE=12/4/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223670
TITLE=IRAQ FOOD OVERHAUL (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS THE SYSTEM FOR
HUMANITARIAN DELIVERIES TO IRAQ WILL UNDERGO A COMPLETE REVIEW IN
THE COMING WEEKS TO MAKE SURE IT IS WORKING AS EFFICIENTLY AS
POSSIBLE. THE U-N LEADER IS EXPECTED TO SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS
TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL BY THE END OF JANUARY. CORRESPONDENT
ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.
TEXT: THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WANTS THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO WORK
FASTER IN APPROVING CONTRACTS FOR HUMANITARIAN PURCHASES. HE
SAYS U-N OBSERVERS INSIDE IRAQ ARE THERE TO GUARANTEE ALL
SUPPLIES ARE USED FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE.
A RELATIVELY LARGE NUMBER OF CONTRACTS WERE PUT ON HOLD DURING
THE PAST YEAR BECAUSE CERTAIN GOVERNMENTS, MAINLY THE UNITED
STATES, FEARED IRAQ WOULD DIVERT SOME ITEMS TO MILITARY USE.
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS ORDERED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE
ENTIRE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROCESS -- A SYSTEM PERMITTING LIMITED OIL
SALES TO RAISE CASH FOR FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER ESSENTIALS
DESIGNED TO EASE THE IMPACT OF A SEVEN-YEAR OLD TRADE EMBARGO.
THE U-N STUDY COULD LEAD TO A BIGGER LIST OF ITEMS IRAQ WOULD BE
ABLE TO BUY -- INCLUDING WATER PURIFICATION EQUIPMENT AND COLD
STORAGE FACILITIES. U-N OFFICIALS REPORT IRAQ'S DETERIORATING
INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT ADEQUATE AND UNDERMINES THE HUMANITARIAN
EFFORT.
MR. ANNAN HAS ALREADY SUGGESTED THE SECURITY COUNCIL RAISE THE
CEILING OF OIL SALES -- NOW RESTRICTED TO TWO-BILLION DOLLARS
DURING SIX-MONTHS. BUT HE SAYS IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO DO IT
BEFORE THE REVIEW IS COMPLETE.
//ANNAN ACT//
I INDICATED I DID NOT THINK THE CURRENT RESOURCES WERE
SUFFICIENT. BUT IT DID NOT HELP TO TAKE A PIECEMEAL
APPROACH AND THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM. WE NEED TO
ANALYZE IT AND MOVE FORWARD AGGRESSIVELY AND
COMPREHENSIVELY TO DEAL WITH IT.
//END ACT//
RUSSIA AND FRANCE HAVE SIGNALED THEY ARE READY TO INCREASE IRAQ'S
OIL SALES, EVEN DOUBLE THEM. BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S RECOMMENDATIONS COME IN EARLY NEXT YEAR.
SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN SAYS IRAQ KNOWS THE OIL BAN IMPOSED AFTER
THE 1990 INVASION OF KUWAIT CAN BE LIFTED COMPLETELY IF IT
COOPERATES FULLY WITH U-N ARMS INSPECTIONS. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
SPECIAL COMMISSION DISARMING IRAQ -- RICHARD BUTLER -- IS GOING
TO BAGHDAD DECEMBER 13TH TO INSIST ON ACCESS TO ALL SUSPECTED
WEAPONS FACILITIES.
/// REST OPT ///
MR. ANNAN SAYS HE HOPES THOSE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE FRANK AND
FRUITFUL.
/// ANNAN ACT ///
I KNOW WE'VE HAD A TENSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE IRAQIS
OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. BUT THE ISSUE IS
IMPORTANT. THE IRAQIS, AS THEY SAY, WOULD WANT TO SEE
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET
THAT DONE IS TO COOPERATE FULLY WITH UNSCOM.
/// END ACT ///
IRAQ HAS DECLARED CERTAIN SITES OFF-LIMITS -- INCLUDING THOSE
THAT HOUSE THE PRESIDENTIAL GUARD AND IRAQI INTELLIGENCE.
MEANWHILE, U-N AGENCIES CONTINUE TO REPORT IRAQI CHILDREN ARE
SEVERELY UNDER-NOURISHED AND HOSPITALS TOO UNDER-SUPPLIED TO GIVE
PROPER CARE. IRAQ HAS RECEIVED OVER
TWO-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION-TONS OF FOOD SINCE THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PLAN
WAS STARTED LAST DECEMBER. MONITORS ON THE GROUND SAY THE PACE
OF HUMANITARIAN DELIVERIES HAS INCREASED RECENTLY, ESPECIALLY
MEDICAL GOODS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
04-Dec-97 2:15 PM EST (1915 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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