DATE=12/1/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223475
TITLE=OIL-FOR-FOOD (L)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE
SECURITY COUNCIL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF OIL IRAQ CAN SELL UNDER A
SPECIAL DEAL DESIGNED TO EASE THE IMPACT OF U-N SANCTIONS. SEVEN
YEARS AFTER IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT PROMPTED A PUNITIVE
ECONOMIC EMBARGO, U-N AGENCIES SAY IRAQ'S HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL
STATUS -- ESPECIALLY AMONG CHILDREN -- IS POOR. CORRESPONDENT
ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.
TEXT: THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS THE CURRENT OIL-FOR-FOOD
FORMULA ALLOWING TWO-BILLION DOLLARS OF OIL SALES OVER SIX MONTHS
IS NOT ADEQUATE. HE ALSO REPORTS THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN
GOODS TO IRAQ IS SLOW AND ERRATIC AND PROPOSES REVIEWING THE
ENTIRE PROCESS.
BUT MR. ANNAN DOES NOT SAY HOW MUCH MORE OIL IRAQ WOULD NEED TO
SELL TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS POPULATION. HIS SPOKESMAN,
FRED ECKHARD, SAYS THE DECISION MUST BE MADE BY THE SECURITY
COUNCIL -- WHOSE MEMBERS MAY HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS:
//ECKHARD ACT//
HE SAID THAT THEY MIGHT CONSIDER INCREASING THE AMOUNT
OF OIL. HE SAID THAT THE PROCEDURE FOR FUNDING AND
DISTRIBUTION NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED UP. THOSE ARE THE
TWO MAIN POINTS THAT HE MADE. IT'S UP TO THE COUNCIL TO
DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO. I DON'T THINK HIS
MENTIONING A FIGURE WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.
//END ACT//
UNDER THE PRESENT FORMULA, IRAQ CAN USE MORE THAN HALF OF THE OIL
MONEY TO BUY FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER ESSENTIAL GOODS. ANOTHER
PERCENTAGE GOES INTO A FUND FOR COMPENSATION CLAIMS RELATED TO
ITS INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF KUWAIT. THE REST PAYS FOR THE U-N
DISARMAMENT PROGRAMS INSIDE IRAQ.
AN OPTION AVAILABLE TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS TO KEEP THE OIL
SALES AT TWO-BILLION DOLLARS, BUT PERMIT IRAQ TO USE MORE OF THE
PROCEEDS FOR HUMANITARIAN PURCHASES.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ALREADY DISCUSSING THE ISSUE PRIVATELY -- AND
HAVE BEEN DOING SO EVEN BEFORE THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S
ANTICIPATED RECOMMENDATIONS. A DECISION IS EXPECTED BY FRIDAY.
IRAQ HAD STALLED ON THE OIL DEAL FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE IT WAS
ADOPTED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL LAST DECEMBER. BAGHDAD HELD OUT
FOR A SOFTENING IN THE COUNCIL THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE COMPLETE
LIFTING OF THE U-N TRADE EMBARGO.
BUT PROBLEMS THEN AND NOW WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS INSIDE
IRAQ KEEP THE SANCTIONS IN PLACE. SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS
TIE THE EMBARGO TO IRAQI COMPLIANCE ON ELIMINATING ON ITS WEAPONS
OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
WHILE BAGHDAD BLAMES THE UNITED STATES FOR ITS ECONOMIC TROUBLES,
U-S OFFICIALS POINT THE FINGER AT IRAQ'S FAILURE TO COOPERATE
FULLY ON DISARMAMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/RRM
01-Dec-97 1:19 PM EST (1819 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America.
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