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DATE=11/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241628
TITLE=IRAQ / SITREP (L-ONLY)
  BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
 DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  DESPITE THE THREAT OF U-S AND BRITISH AIRSTRIKES, IRAQ 
CONTINUES TO VOW IT WILL NOT BACK DOWN AND ALLOW U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS TO RESUME THEIR WORK IN THE COUNTRY.  NEVERTHELESS, 
IRAQIS HAVE BEGUN TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY 
ACTION.  RICHARD ENGEL IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR MIDDLE 
EAST BUREAU
TEXT:  IN BAGHDAD, THOUSANDS WAITED IN LINES FRIDAY TO STOCK UP 
ON GASOLINE.  MANY SAY THEY FEAR AIRSTRIKES WILL DESTROY IRAQI 
OIL REFINERIES, DISRUPTING FUEL SUPPLIES. 
IRAQI NEWSPAPERS CONTINUE TO BLAME THE UNITED STATES FOR THE 
CURRENT SHOWDOWN. THE OFFICIAL "AL THOURA" NEWSPAPER IS QUOTED AS
SAYING, "THE WORLD CALLS FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE AND AMERICA SEEKS
WAR AND AGGRESSION."
WHILE IRAQI TELEVISION SHOWS IMAGES OF IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM 
HUSSEIN, SURROUNDED BY POP STARS SINGING HIS PRAISES, THE IRAQI 
MEDIA HAS  NOT  MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT A MEMORANDUM BY EIGHT 
ARAB STATES THURSDAY SAYING THAT IRAQ ALONE WILL BEAR THE 
CONSEQUENCES OF ITS ACTIONS.
THE ARAB STATES STRESS THEY WANT A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION THE CRISIS
AND HAVE URGED MORE FLEXIBILITY ON BOTH SIDES. 
MEANWHILE FRIDAY, THE UNITED STATES CONTINUED ITS BUILD UP OF 
FORCES IN THE REGION IN PREPARATION FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY 
STRIKES. THE INCREASING TENSION HAS PROMPTED THE UNITED NATIONS 
TO RELOCATE ITS 50 OR SO REMAINING BAGHDAD PERSONNEL FOR SECURITY
REASONS. THE UNITED NATIONS PULLED OUT MORE THAN 230 WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.
WHILE AN ATTACK ON IRAQ SEEMS IMMINENT, SOME IRAQI OFFICIALS HINT
THEY MIGHT BE WILLING TO BACK DOWN, IF U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI
ANNAN BROKERED A DEAL.  THE "AL THOURA" NEWSPAPER FRIDAY IS 
QUOTED AS SAYING, "THE INTERVENTION OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL IS 
REQUESTED ON THE BASIS OF HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
THROUGH DIALOGUE, UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE." (SIGNED) 
NEB/RE/PCF/GE
13-Nov-98 10:00 AM EST (1500 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.