DATE=2/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227217
TITLE=IRAQ AGREEMENT REACTION (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=BAGHDAD, IRAQ
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PEOPLE IN THE IRAQI CAPITAL, BAGHDAD ARE EXPRESSING
RELIEF TODAY AND AMID SIGNS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS NO LONGER
PLANNING AN IMMEDIATE MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST THE COUNTRY.
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM BAGHDAD.
TEXT: THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WAS NEVER FRIGHTENED BY WHAT
IT DESCRIBES AS "SABOR-RATTLING" BY THE UNITED STATES. A
REFERENCE TO U-S THREATS TO ATTACK THE COUNTRY IF U-N INSPECTORS
WERE NOT GIVEN UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE SUSPECTED WEAPON
SITES.
NOW THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS ACHIEVED A GREAT VICTORY IN
REACHING AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS TO RESUME THOSE
INSPECTIONS. ORDINARY IRAQIS IN THE CAPITAL BAGHDAD, SAY THEY
FEEL EXTREMELY RELIEVED THAT THE THREAT OF IMMEDIATE ATTACK
APPEARS TO HAVE DIMINISHED.
THE PROPRIETOR OF A SMALL SHOP IN THE CITY CENTER SAYS ATTACKS AT
THIS TIME WOULD HAVE CAUSED GREAT HARDSHIP, AND HE SAYS HE
BELIEVES THE POSSIBILITY OF CONFRONTATION WILL REMAIN UNTIL THE
UNITED NATIONS AND THE UNITED STATES STOP INVOLVING THEMSELVES IN
IRAQ'S AFFAIRS.
THE THREAT OF MILITARY ATTACK WAS AT ITS PEAK LAST WEEK, JUST
BEFORE THE VISIT TO BAGHDAD BY U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN.
AT THAT TIME THERE WERE FEW OUTWARD SIGNS OF CONCERN. BUSINESSES
REMAINED OPEN AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF NEW MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS
IN THE CITY.
BUT SOURCES WITH CLOSE TIES TO THE GOVERNMENT SAY BEHIND THAT
FACADE, A GREAT DEAL OF PREPARATION FOR CONFLICT WAS CARRIED OUT.
IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN INCREASED THE SECRECY SURROUNDING
HIS DAILY WHEREABOUTS. ACCORDING TO SOME REPORTS HE HAS A POLICY
OF SLEEPING IN A DIFFERENT HOME EACH NIGHT TO AVOID THE RISK OF
BECOMING A TARGET FOR BOMBING.
IN AT LEAST ONE OF HIS RESIDENCES, A PALACE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF
BAGHDAD, NEARLY ALL FURNITURE WAS RECENTLY REMOVED TO ENSURE IT
WOULD NOT BE DESTROYED IF THE PALACE WAS BOMBED.
THE FOREIGN COMMUNITY OF IRAQ IS ALSO EXPRESSING RELIEF AT THE
APPARENT RESOLUTION OF THE LATEST CRISIS. SEVERAL DOZEN UNITED
NATION'S EMPLOYEES LEFT THE COUNTRY LAST WEEK AMID CONCERNS OVER
THE THREAT OF AIR ATTACKS. THEY ARE NOW PLANNING TO RETURN TO
THEIR JOBS IN THE IRAQI CAPITAL.
U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TENSION TO
REMAIN WHILE THE FIRST STEPS IN THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAQ AND
THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL ARE CARRIED OUT. THEY SAY THERE IS AN
UNDERLYING FEAR IN THE CITY AMONG IRAQI AND FOREIGNERS ALIKE,
THAT TENSIONS COULD ESCALATE RAPIDLY ONCE AGAIN IF ANY OF THE
PARTIES INVOLVED LOSE CONFIDENCE THAT THE AGREEMENT WILL BE FULLY
IMPLEMENTED. (SIGNED)
NEB/MR/TMD-T/KL
24-Feb-98 11:09 AM EST (1609 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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