DATE=12/2/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223524
TITLE= IRAQ FOREIGN MINISTER(L-ONLY) CQ
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
///// CORRECTS TO U-S INSPECTORS IN TEXT GRAF 6 OF CR2-223486
FILED 12/1/97. /////
INTRO: THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE
SECURITY COUNCIL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF OIL THAT IRAQ CAN SELL
UNDER THE SPECIAL FOOD-FOR-OIL DEAL. BUT IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER
PUTS CONDITIONS ON ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM. WE HAVE MORE FROM
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN WASHINGTON.
TEXT: AS IT NOW STANDS, THE OIL-FOR-FOOD DEAL ALLOWS IRAQ TO
SELL UP TO TWO BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL EVERY SIX MONTHS.
PART OF THE REVENUE BUYS MUCH-NEEDED FOODS AND MEDICINES. U-N
SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANAN SAYS THE SALES LIMIT SHOULD BE
INCREASED AND THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN GOODS SPEEDED UP.
BUT IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMED SAEED AL-SAHAF TOLD V-O-A
AMMAN CORRESPONDENT JUMANA TAMIMI THAT INCREASING SALES IS NOT
THE ISSUE.
//SAHAF ACT//
INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WHILE THE PROCEUDRES OF
IMPLEMENTEATION OF THIS ARRANGEMENT IS STILL VERY SLOW
AND IRAQ IS NOT RECEIVING FROM PHASE TWO NOT EVEN FIVE
PERCENT OF ITS NEEDS, THEREFORE INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF
MONEY JUST LIKE THAT BEFORE IMPROVING THE PROCUDURES OF
IMPLEMENTATION IS EXACTLY PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE
HORSE.
//END ACT//
IN THE PHONE INTERVIEW FROM BAGHDAD, MR AL-SAHAF SAYS IRAQ HAS
PROPOSED CHANGING THE PROCEDURES FOR GETTING THE FOODS AND
MEDICINES DELIVERED. HE ALSO BLAMES THE UNITED STATES FOR
HOLDING UP DISTRIBUTION OF THE SUPPLIES.
THE OIL-FOR-FOOD DEAL IS THE ONLY EASING OF THE SEVEN YEAR OLD
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ. SANCTIONS WON'T BE LIFTED COMPLETELY
UNTIL U-N INSPECTORS CAN CERTIFY THAT IRAQ HAS SCRAPPED ITS
ARSENALS OF TOXIC WEAPONS. IRAQ CLAIMS IT HAS DONE SO.
IN THE LATEST CONFRONTATION WITH THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, IRAQ
REFUSED TO LET AMERICAN INSPECTORS ENTER SENSITIVE FACILITIES.
BAGHDAD THEN ORDERED ALL U-S INSPECTORS OUT OF IRAQ.
BAGHDAD LET THE INSPECTORS RETURN BUT HAS BARRED THEM FROM
SEVERAL PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS. AT THE SAME TIME, BAGHDAD
INVITED 19 U-N MEMBER-STATES TO SEND THEIR OWN EXPERTS TO THE
SITES BUT NOT THE U-N INSPECTORS.
CHIEF U-N INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER HEADS TO BAGHDAD NEXT WEEK TO
TRY TO RESOLVE THE LATEST CRISIS.
FOREIGN MINISTER AL-SAHAF DEFENDS THE UNUSUAL INVITATION AS A
RESPONSE TO WHAT HE CLAIMS IS UNFAIR U-S PRESSURE IN THE SECURITY
COUNCIL.
//AL SAHAF ACT TWO//
ORIGINALLY ALL PRESIDENTIAL SITES ARE OFF LIMITS. THEY
ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE MISSION OF THE SPECIAL
COMMISSION. BUT BECAUSE OF THE FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF THE
UNITED STATES, WE FELT IT WAS PROPER TO COUNTER THEIR
ALLEGATIONS WITH A CANDID AND SINCERE INITIATIVE TO
UNCOVER THE BASELESS ALLEGATIONS OF THE AMERICANS.
//END ACT//
THE PROBLEM IS THE LONGER IRAQ RESTRICTS U-N INSPECTIONS FOR
WHATEVER REASON, THE LONGER IT WILL TAKE FOR THE U-N SECURITY
COUNCIL TO CERTIFY THAT BAGHDAD HAS COMPLIED WITH U-N DEMANDS TO
SCRAP ITS ARSENALS OF TOXIC WEAPONS. SO SANCTIONS REMAIN IN
PLACE UNTIL THEN WITH SPECIAL ALLOWANCES ONLY FOR HUMANITARIAN
SUPPLIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/WFR/RAE
02-Dec-97 9:41 AM EST (1441 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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