DATE=2/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227212
TITLE=IRAQ / ARAB REACT (L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=AMMAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FAVORABLE COMMENTS ABOUT THE U-N
AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ HAVE HELPED REDUCE TENSIONS IN THE MIDDLE
EAST. BUT MR. CLINTON'S WARNINGS OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF THE
ACCORD IS NOT RESPECTED HAVE TEMPERED ANY DECLARATIONS OF
VICTORY COMING FROM BAGHDAD. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN
REPORTS FROM AMMAN, JORDAN.
TEXT: MOST ARAB COMMENTARIES STILL REMAIN CRITICAL OF U-S POLICY
TOWARD IRAQ AND ITS MILITARY BUILD-UP IN THE GULF AS PRESSURE ON
BAGHDAD TO COMPLY WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
SYRIA'S STATE RUN NEWSPAPER, FOR ONE, CALLS ON WASHINGTON TO
ABANDON ITS MILITARY OPTION.
ONE JORDANIAN NEWSPAPER SUGGESTS THAT WASHINGTON CAN CLAIM
SUCCESS FOR ITS TOUGH STAND BUT ALSO MUST ACCEPT THE LEGITIMACY
OF THE AGREEMENT SIGNED BY U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IN
BAGHDAD.
ANALYSTS IN JORDAN SAY THE CRISIS AT LEAST HAS LET IRAQ GET ITS
GRIEVANCES BACK ON THE WORLD AGENDA.
A FORMER JORDANIAN AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON, IBRAHIM IZZADIN,
SAYS THE LATEST CRISIS SHOWS THAT MILITARY ACTION IS NO LONGER
THE WAY TO RESOLVE A CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
/// IZZADIN ACT ///
THE RELEASING OF TENSION COULD HELP IN ONE WAY OR
ANOTHER TO CONCENTRATE AGAIN ON THE PEACE PROCESS. NOW
IF YOU HAVE TENSIONS OR A REAL MILITARY CONFLICT IN THE
AREA, IT WOULD AFFECT NEGATIVELY THE PEACE PROCESS. NOW
I HOPE AFTER A FEW MONTHS, WE WILL HAVE AN END TO THE
IRAQI CRISIS AND THEN THERE WOULD BE MORE CONCENTRATION
ON THE PEACE PROCESS AND ON BUILDING OUR COUNTRIES AND
ENGAGING IN REAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
/// END ACT ///
JORDAN IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN HARD HIT BY SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ
BECAUSE OF ITS HEAVY DEPENDENCE ON CROSS BORDER TRADE.
JORDAN TIMES EDITOR GEORGE HAWATMEH SAYS THE UNITED STATES AND
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL NEED TO MAKE SURE THE NEW MEMO OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH BAGHDAD IS ENFORCED. BUT HE SUGGESTS THE
RENEWED POSSIBILITY OF AN END TO THE SANCTIONS SHOULD IN ITSELF
PROMOTE IRAQI COMPLIANCE WITH U-N INSPECTION DEMANDS.
/// HAWATMEH ACT ///
IF IRAQ IS PROMISED AN END TO THE SANCTIONS, THERE IS
NO REASON FOR THE IRAQIS OR ANYBODY ELSE TO MAKE
TROUBLE FOR THE UNITED STATES, ESPECIALLY IF THE UNITED
STATES IS AGAIN WILLING TO EXERT PRESSURE ON THE
NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER ON COMMITMENTS TO THE
PALESTINIANS, TO THE ARABS AND SOLVE THE CORE PROBLEM IN
THE MIDDLE EAST WHICH IS THE PALESTINIAN PROBLEM.
/// ENBD ACT ///
FOR ITS PART, IRAQ IS CELEBRATING WHAT IT CLAIMS AS A VICTORY.
BUT, PRESIDENT CLINTON IS LEAVING U-S TROOPS IN THE GULF TO BACK
UP HIS WARNINGS OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF IRAQ AGAIN TRIES TO
BLOCK U-N INSPECTORS FROM DOING THEIR JOB. (SIGNED)
NEB/LK/JWH
24-Feb-98 10:03 AM EST (1503 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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