DATE=2/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227146
TITLE=IRAQ / ARAB REACT (S)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=AMMAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: NEWS OF A BROKERED DEAL IN BAGHDAD HAS BROUGHT SIGHS OF
RELIEF AROUND THE MIDDLE EAST. BUT, AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT
LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FORM AMMAN, JORDAN, MOST IN THE REGION ARE
ANXIOUSLY WAITING TO HEAR THE U-S REACTION TO THE AGREEMENT
SIGNED BY U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IN BAGHDAD TO BE SURE
THE CRISIS IS REALLY OVER.
TEXT: DIPLOMATS AROUND THE REGION ARE GREETING NEWS OF THE
AGREEMENT WITH CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM.
JORDAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THE AGREEMENT HAS SAVED THE REGION
FROM THE HORRENDOUS RESULTS OF A MILITARY ACTION.
EGYPT'S FOREIGN MINISTER TOLD REPORTERS IN CAIRO A DIPLOMATIC
SOLUTION WAS WHAT EVERYONE HAD HOPED FOR. HE SAID HE EXPECTS
WASHINGTON TO ACCEPT THE U-N AGREEMENT.
EVEN WITH A DEAL, KUWAITI COMMENTATORS PREDICT MORE SUFFERING FOR
IRAQIS AND MORE INSECURITY FOR KUWAITIS BECAUSE SADDAM HUSSEIN
CANNOT BE TRUSTED.
SYRIA ALSO WELCOMES THE U-N DEAL BUT STILL QUESTIONS U-S
ATTITUDES TOWARD BAGHDAD. A NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL ON MONDAY ARGUES
THAT WASHINGTON AND ISRAEL WANT TO PROLONG THE CRISIS TO DIVERT
ATTENTION FROM THE FALTERING MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS.
/// REST UNVOICED OPT ///
JORDAN TIMES EDITOR GEORGE HAWATMEH ECHOES THAT SKEPTICISM. HE
SAYS THE LATEST CRISIS HAS DEEPENED HOSTILITY TOWARD WASHINGTON
ON ARAB STREETS WHERE PEOPLE TALK OF U-S DOUBLE STANDARDS WHEN
DEALING WITH ISRAEL AND ITS ARAB NEIGHBORS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LK/JWH
23-Feb-98 6:41 AM EST (1141 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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