DATE=12/4/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223688
TITLE=IRAQ OIL VOTE (L)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL THURSDAY UNANIMOUSLY RENEWED A
DEAL ALLOWING IRAQ TO SELL LIMITED QUANTITIES OF OIL TO RAISE
CASH TO BUY HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES TO EASE THE EFFECTS OF U-N
SANCTIONS. BUT THE COUNCIL ALSO PUT OFF DECIDING WHETHER IRAQ
NEEDS TO SELL EVEN MORE THAN THE CURRENT TWO-BILLION-DOLLAR LIMIT
OVER SIX MONTHS. CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.
TEXT: RUSSIAN AND FRENCH PRESSURE NOTWITHSTANDING -- THE
SECURITY COUNCIL DECIDED TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO ON IRAQI OIL
SALES. BUT IT EXPRESSED ITS WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER RAISING THE
EXPORT CEILING AFTER A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE OIL-FOR-FOOD
PROGRAM THAT STARTED LAST DECEMBER.
SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS PLANNING TO COMPLETE THAT STUDY
NEXT MONTH AND PROMPTLY SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL
AIMED AT MAKING THE PROGRAM MORE EFFICIENT. THE AIM IS TO GET
FOOD AND MEDICINE TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE MORE QUICKLY. MR. ANNAN
HAS ALREADY SAID HE BELIEVES THE OIL LIMIT NOW IN PLACE IS NOT
ADEQUATE.
IRAQ HAS ACCUSED THE UNITED STATES OF HOLDING UP CONTRACTS FOR
HUMANITARIAN PURCHASES THAT THE U-N SANCTIONS COMMITTEE MUST
APPROVE.
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- IN HIS LATEST REPORT -- ALSO NOTES THE
DELAY IN COMMITTEE. AT THE SAME TIME, HE HAS TRIED TO REASSURE
MEMBERS THAT U-N MONITORS INSIDE IRAQ WILL MAKE SURE NONE OF THE
SUPPLIES WILL BE DIVERTED FOR MILITARY USE.
BUT SUSPICIONS RUN DEEP BETWEEN BAGHDAD AND WASHINGTON. U-S
AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON ACCUSED IRAQ OF PLAYING POLITICS WITH
THE U-N PROGRAM, EVEN WITHHOLDING FOOD RATIONS FROM ITS CITIZENS
WHILE IT CAMPAIGNS FOR A TOTAL LIFTING OF THE OIL BAN. AFTER THE
COUNCIL VOTE, AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON SAID IRAQ'S MOTIVES ARE
TRANSPARENT:
//RICHARDSON ACT//
THEY SHOULD STOP BLACKMAILING THE SECURITY COUNCIL INTO
CHANGING THE PROGRAM TO SUIT THEIR POLITICAL NEEDS, TO
BUILD THEIR PALACES. THEY SHOULD CARE ABOUT THEIR OWN
PEOPLE. THE MESSAGE HERE THAT WAS TAKEN BY THE UNITED
NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS HUMANITARIAN ISSUES SHOULD
BE SEPARATED FROM POLITICAL ISSUES.
//END ACT//
IRAQ MAY WELL GET ITS EXPORT INCREASE IN DUE TIME. RUSSIA WAS
MOST EMPHATIC ABOUT IT. EVEN THE U-S AMBASSADOR SAID WASHINGTON
WOULD CONSIDER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PROGRAM TO ENHANCE ITS
HUMANITARIAN VALUE. U-N AGENCIES ARE REPORTING GROWING HEALTH
PROBLEMS IN IRAQ, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE CHILDREN.
BUT THE END OF THE OIL BAN -- PART OF THE ECONOMIC EMBARGO
IMPOSED AFTER IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990 -- IS LINKED TO
PROGRESS ON RIDDING IRAQ OF ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
IRAQ WILL BE SUBJECTED TO EXPORT LIMITS FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES
FOR U-N ARMS INSPECTORS TO CERTIFY BAGHDAD NO LONGER POSES A
THREAT. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/RRM
04-Dec-97 6:54 PM EST (2354 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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