DATE=8/1/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236377
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (S/L)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQI GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND STATE-OWNED NEWSPAPERS
SHARPLY CRITICIZED UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS SATURDAY.
RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU THAT THE
CRITICISM COMES JUST AS THOSE INSPECTORS ARE SCHEDULED TO VISIT
BAGHDAD.
TEXT: THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE IRAQI ARMY LAUNCHED A FRESH
ATTACK ON U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS AND THE MAN WHO HEADS THE TEAM,
RICHARD BUTLER -- WHO IS SET TO ARRIVE IN IRAQ SUNDAY.
THE NEWSPAPER AGAIN STRONGLY DENIED A U-N REPORT ISSUED IN JUNE
CLAIMING THAT IRAQ HAD LOADED THE LETHAL V-X NERVE AGENT INTO
MISSILE WARHEADS.
THE IRAQI NEWSPAPER DISMISSED THE REPORT AS ANOTHER OF WHAT IT
CALLED A "MALICIOUS, BIASED AND UNJUST TREND" THAT IS "AIMED AT
WASTING IRAQ'S MILITARY, INDUSTRIAL, AND ECONOMIC POWER."
IRAQ HAS OFTEN ACCUSED THE U-N INSPECTORS OF WANTING TO MAINTAIN
THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990.
BEFORE THOSE SANCTIONS CAN BE LIFTED, THE U-N INSPECTORS MUST
CERTIFY THAT IRAQ IS RID OF ALL ITS ILLEGAL CHEMICAL, NUCLEAR AND
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
//REST OPT//
AT THE SAME TIME, IRAQI NEWSPAPERS SAY IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME
MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ HAD COMPLAINED IN A LETTER TO U-N SECRETARY
GENERAL KOFI ANNAN THAT THE UNITED STATES IS IMPEDING DOZENS OF
CONTRACTS TO OBTAIN FOOD AND MEDICINE IN IRAQ'S OIL-FOR-FOOD
AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.
THE LETTER COMPLAINS THAT WHILE AMERICA PRETENDS TO LAMENT THE
WORSENING IRAQI ECONOMY, IT DOES ITS UTMOST -- IN HIS WORDS -- TO
PUT MORE OBSTACLES BEFORE ANY BID TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF
IRAQIS.
THE OIL-FOR-FOOD DEAL ALLOWS IRAQ TO SELL SOME FIVE BILLION
DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL OVER SIX MONTHS, USING THE MONEY TO BUY FOOD
AND MEDICINE. (SIGNED)
NEB/RHE/DW/JO
01-Aug-98 12:54 PM EDT (1654 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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