DATE= 11/18/97 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-222889 TITLE=IRAQ SMUGGLING (S ONLY) BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY IS BEING STEPPED UP TO DEFUSE THE CRISIS WITH IRAQ OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS, THE UNITED NATIONS IS TRYING TO PLUG HOLES IN AN ECONOMIC EMBARGO IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER IT INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990. THE U-N SANCTIONS COMMITTEE, WHICH KEEPS A STEADY EYE ON THE PUNITIVE MEASURES, HEARD REPORTS TUESDAY THAT IRAQ IS SMUGGLING INCREASING QUANTITIES OF DIESEL OIL THROUGH IRANIAN WATERS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON HAS MORE FROM NEW YORK: TEXT: THE U-S LED INTERCEPTION FORCE THAT WATCHES FOR SANCTIONS-BUSTING IN THE GULF IS NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER IRAN'S TERRITORIAL WATERS. THIS ALLOWS IRAN, IN EFFECT, TO PROVIDE SAFE PASSAGE FOR SHIPS CARRYING ILLEGAL IRAQI CARGO. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SANCTIONS COMMITTEE -- PORTUGAL'S U-N AMBASSADOR -- SAYS HE WILL MAKE ANOTHER APPROACH TO IRAN'S U-N ENVOY. IRAN HAS BEEN SPOKEN TO IN THE PAST ABOUT THE SMUGGLING. IRAN SAYS CONSISTENTLY THAT IT DOES NOT CONDONE IT. IRAN PROFITS FROM THE SHIPPING -- EXPERTS SAY EVEN MORE THAN IRAQ, WHICH SELLS THE CONTRABAND DIESEL OIL FAR BELOW THE MARKET PRICE. IRAQ WANTS THE EMBARGO LIFTED. BUT THE SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS NOT BEFORE BAGHDAD COOPERATES FULLY WITH U-N INSPECTIONS AIMED AT RIDDING THE COUNTRY OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. (SIGNED) NEB/PT 18-Nov-97 7:25 PM EST (0025 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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