DATE=2/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227062
TITLE=U-N / HUMANITARIAN AID / IRAQ (L O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTED A RESOLUTION
TODAY (FRIDAY) DOUBLING THE AMOUNT OF OIL IRAQ CAN EXPORT IN
EXCHANGE FOR HUMANITARIAN AID. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU
REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: THE RESOLUTION PERMITS IRAQ TO EXPORT FIVE POINT TWO
BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS IN EXCHANGE
FOR FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES. PREVIOUSLY IRAQ WAS AUTHORIZED TO
EXPORT TWO POINT ONE BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL IN EXCHANGE FOR
HUMANITARIAN HELP.
BRITAIN'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, JOHN WESTON, SAID THE
SECURITY COUNCIL RAISED THE AMOUNT OF OIL IRAQ CAN EXPORT TO
REFLECT THE PLIGHT OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE. HE SAID HE HOPES IRAQI
AUTHORITIES WILL COOPERATE IN DISTRIBUTING THE FOOD AND
MEDICINES.
/// WESTON ACT ///
ON THE HUMANITARIAN NEEDS QUESTION, WE HAVE REPEATEDLY
FOUND IRAQ UNABLE TO TAKE "YES" FOR AN ANSWER. I DO NOT
THINK THAT SERVES THE INTEREST OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE WHO
NEED HELP. THE SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE UNTIED NATIONS IS
SENDING A VERY STRONG MESSAGE THAT IT WISHES TO GIVE
THAT HELP.
//// END ACT ///
IN ADOPTING THE RESOLUTION, THE SECURITY COUNCIL MADE SPECIAL
NOTE THAT THE POPULATON OF IRAQ CONTINUES TO FACE A SERIOUS
NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH SITUATION.
AMBASSADOR WESTON TOLD REPORTERS THE HUMANITARIAN AID IS A
SEPARATE ISSUE FROM THE QUESTION OF U-N INSPECTIONS OF SUSPECTED
WEAPONS SITES WHICH HAS CREATED THE CURRENT CRISIS BETWEEN IRAQ
AND THE UNITED NATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/KL
20-Feb-98 3:27 PM EST (2027 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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