DATE=2/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227086
TITLE=KUWAIT SITREP ONE (S&L)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=KUWAIT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE FOCUS OF THE WORLD IS ON BAGHDAD AND THE 11TH HOUR
MISSION OF U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN. VOA'S GIL BUTLER IS
IN KUWAIT, WHERE ANTI-SADDAM HUSSEIN FEELING RUNS HIGH, AND MANY
PEOPLE EXPECT MILITARY ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
TEXT: A SMALL GROUP OF SHOPKEEPERS HERE IN KUWAIT CITY COMPLAINS
THAT SINCE THE IRAQ CRISIS OVER U-N INSPECTIONS BEGAN, BUSINESS
HAS FALLEN OFF, THOUGH FOOD STORES HAVE DONE WELL AS PEOPLE STOCK
UP. THE STORE OWNERS WHO ARE IN A SLUMP BLAME ONE MAN -- SADDAM
HUSSEIN -- AND WONDER ALOUD WHY THE MILITARY OPTION DOESN'T
INCLUDE UNSEATING IRAQ'S PRESIDENT.
//OPT FOR LONG CR// FORMER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
SAUD MOHAMMAD AL OSAIMI, SAYS GOING BY SADDAM HUSSEIN'S PAST
RECORD, HE WILL AGREE AT THE LAST MINUTE TO ALLOW UNITED NATIONS
INSPECTIONS OF SUSPECTED GERM WARFARE AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS SITES.
BUT MR. AL OSAIMI ALSO ASKS IF WESTERN FORCES ARE READY TO GATHER
AGAIN IF IRAQ AGAIN REFUSES INSPECTIONS.
/// AL OSAIMI ACT ///
ARE THEY READY ALSO FOR EVERYTIME IRAQ DOES SOMETHING
LIKE THIS THEY WILL REGATHER AGAIN, AND SO ON. AND HOW
MUCH DOES THAT COST? AND WHO WILL PAY THE BILL? IT'S A
QUESTION I CAN'T ANSWER.
/// END ACT ///
THE FORMER MINISTER OF STATE AND AMBASSADOR TO SAUDI ARABIA SAYS
THE BEST OUTCOME WOULD BE IF IRAQ ABIDES BY INTERNATIONAL LAW AND
RECOGNIZES WHAT HE TERMS, THE UNITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
OTHERWISE, HE SAYS, THE MAIN VICTIMS WILL BE THE IRAQIS
THEMSELVES.
AND COULD HE AND OTHER KUWAITIS ABIDE IRAQ'S CONTINUED RULE BY
SADDAM HUSSEIN, WHO OCCUPIED THEIR COUNTRY IN 1990? MR. AL
OSAIMI SAYS IT IS REALLY UP TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE THEMSELVES, AND
HE SAYS THEY MAY BE READY FOR AN UPRISING.
/// AL OSAIMI ACT ///
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE IRAQI REGIME HAS SO MANY ENEMIES
BUT NONE OF THEM HAVE ANY KIND OF ORGANIZATION OR AN
UMBRELLA. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM THAT THIS REGIME HAS
CREATED -- A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR HIS OWN PEOPLE. THE
COUNTRY IS READY FOR AN UPRISING, THEY ARE JUST LOOKING
FOR A BETTER CHANCE.
/// END ACT /// // END OPT //
THE KUWAIT NEWSPAPERS ARE, AS ONE WOULD EXPECT, FILLED WITH NEWS
AND VIEWS ON THE IRAQ CRISIS. IN THE SCHOOLS, CHILDREN PRACTICE
CROUCHING UNDER DESKS IN THE EVENT OF AN ATTACK BY IRAQ. SOME
WORRY ABOUT IRAQ'S POSSIBLE USE OF CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL
WEAPONS. ALMOST EVERYONE YOU TALK TO THINKS THERE WILL NOT BE
A LONG WAIT TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. //REST OPT//
THEY BELIEVE IT WILL BE TWO OR THREE DAYS AT MOST, UNTIL
SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN COMPLETES HIS MISSION AND REPORTS TO THE
SECURITY COUNCIL. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/DW/KL
21-Feb-98 7:16 AM EST (1216 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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