DATE=11/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241644
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ FOOD (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IMPORTS INTO IRAQ OF FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER
HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO A VIRTUAL HALT
(FRIDAY), AMID GROWING THREATS OF MILITARY ACTION AGAINST
BAGHDAD. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED
NATIONS BUREAU.
TEXT: MOST HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES DESTINED FOR IRAQ HAVE BEEN
SENT THERE UNDER A COMPLICATED U-N ARRANGEMENT CALLED THE
"OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM." U-N OFFICIALS SAY A KEY ELEMENT IN THAT
PROGRAM HAS NOW BEEN WITHDRAWN, BRINGING IMPORTS OF HUMANITARIAN
SUPPLIES TO IRAQ TO A VIRTUAL HALT.
WHAT WAS WITHDRAWN WERE THE SERVICES OF A PRIVATE BRITISH FIRM
WHICH WAS SUPPLYING 54 INSPECTORS TO THE PROGRAM. THE INSPECTORS
WERE ASSIGNED TO IRAQI BORDER CROSSINGS, WHERE THEY MONITORED
HUMANITARIAN IMPORTS. U-N OFFICIALS SAY NO PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE
TO THE SUPPLIERS OF THE IMPORTS WITHOUT CERTIFICATION FROM THE
INSPECTORS.
U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD:
/// ECKHARD ACT ///
THIS DECISION WAS TAKEN, WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION, BY
LLOYDS REGISTER, A UNITED KINGDOM COMPANY, WHICH IS
CONTRACTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS TO PROVIDE INSPECTION
AND AUTHENTICATION SERVICES AT THE UMM QASR PORT AND THE
TREBIL BORDER CROSSING WITH JORDAN. ALSO THE AL-WALEED
BORDER CROSSING WITH SYRIA AND THE ZAKHO BORDER CROSSING
WITH TURKEY.
/// END ACT ///
THE DIRECTOR OF THE U-N OFFICE OVERSEEING THE OIL-FOR-FOOD
PROGRAM, BENAN SEVAN, SAYS HE WAS INFORMED OF THE DEVELOPMENT BY
TELEPHONE EARLY FRIDAY. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE BRITISH FIRM DID
NOT PROVIDE ANY REASON FOR THE WITHDRAWAL. BUT THE DECISION IS
BELIEVED BE TIED TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF INSPECTORS IF
PUNITIVE MILITARY STRIKES ARE CARRIED OUT AGAINST IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
13-Nov-98 2:34 PM EST (1934 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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