DATE=9/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238182
TITLE=U-N/IRAQ OIL-FOR-FOOD (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE PACE OF
ITS IRAQI OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM, UNDER WHICH IRAQ IS ALLOWED TO
EXPORT LIMITED QUANTITIES OF OIL IN RETURN FOR HUMANITARIAN
SUPPLIES. U-S OFFICIALS SAY IRAQ IS TO BLAME FOR THE PROGRAM'S
FAILURE TO MEET ITS TARGETS. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE
UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS' IRAQ
PROGRAM, BENON SAVAN, SAYS THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM IS HAVING A
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON IRAQ'S HUMANITARIAN SITUATION. BUT HE SAYS
IT IS ALSO RAISING CONCERNS AT THE UNITED NATIONS BECAUSE OF ITS
FAILURE TO MEET FUNDING TARGETS.
MR. SAVAN SAYS THAT DURING THE CURRENT 180 DAY PERIOD, APPROVED
OIL EXPORTS WILL GENERATE AN ESTIMATED ONE-POINT-EIGHT BILLION
DOLLARS IN FUNDING FOR HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES - LESS THAN 60
PERCENT OF THE TARGETED AMOUNT. HE BLAMES THE SHORTFALL ON LOW
OIL PRICES AND THE POOR CONDITION OF IRAQ'S OIL PRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT.
MR. SAVAN GAVE THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL A BRIEFING ON THE STATUS
OF THE PROGRAM (FRIDAY), AFTER WHICH U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED
NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON BLAMED IRAQ FOR MANY OF THE PROBLEMS.
/// RICHARDSON ACT ///
THE PROBLEM WITH THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM HAS NOT
CHANGED ... IRAQ REFUSES TO MANAGE THE PROGRAM
EFFICIENTLY IN MANY INSTANCES AND DOES NOT COOPERATE
WITH THE U-N OIL-FOR-FOOD ADMINISTRATORS AND CONTINUES
TO USE THE HUMANITARIAN ISSUE AS A POLITICAL WEAPON.
/// END ACT ///
IRAQ BLAMES THE UNITED STATES AND THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL FOR
ITS FAILURE TO MEET TARGETS SET UNDER THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM.
EARLIER THIS YEAR THE SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVED AN ARRANGEMENT
THAT WOULD ALLOW IRAQ TO USE SOME FUNDS TO UPGRADE ITS OIL
PROCESSING EQUIPMENT. IRAQ SAYS THE COUNCIL IS NOW MOVING TOO
SLOWLY IN APPROVING EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THOSE UPGRADES.
IRAQ'S RELATIONS WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAVE BEEN STRAINED
SINCE EARLY AUGUST, WHEN IRAQ SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH THE U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM, UNSCOM. IRAQ SAYS THE INSPECTION
PROCESS IS BEING UNFAIRLY PROLONGED, THEREBY DELAYING ANY CHANCE
FOR AN EARLY LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR.
UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER REJECTS THAT CHARGE, SAYING IRAQ IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS.
HE SAYS IRAQ IS CONTINUING TO OBSTRUCT UNSCOM'S WORK BY HIDING
AND WITHHOLDING IMPORTANT INFORMATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/BA/PLM
04-Sep-98 2:49 PM EDT (1849 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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