DATE=11/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241667
TITLE=IRAQ CRISIS (L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=AMMAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQ IS SEEKING ARAB SUPPORT IN ITS LATEST SHOWDOWN WITH
THE UNITED NATIONS AMID GOVERNMENT-ORGANIZED DEMONSTRATIONS FOR
SADDAM HUSSEIN IN BAGHDAD. BUT THE THREAT OF A U-S MILITARY
STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ IS INTENSIFYING. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE
KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM AMMAN.
TEXT: ABOUT A THOUSAND WORKERS FROM THE MAIN LABOR FEDERATION
MARCHED IN BAGHDAD SATURDAY, SHOUTING FAMILIAR SLOGANS OF SUPPORT
FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN AND DENOUNCING THE U-N INSPECTIONS. SOME ALSO
BURNED AMERICAN AND ISRAELI FLAGS. THE STATE-RUN IRAQI
NEWSPAPERS ARE CALLING ON ARAB LEADERS TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR
SADDAM HUSSEIN IN WHAT THE PAPERS DESCRIBE AS A CONFRONTATION
AGAINST AMERICAN THREATS.
IRAQIS -- NOW APPEARING MORE RESIGNED THAN EVER TO A POSSIBLE AIR
STRIKE -- HAVE STARTED STOCKING UP ON SUPPLIES AND GASOLINE.
SO FAR ARAB REACTION TO THE LATEST IRAQI CRISIS HAS BEEN MUTED.
BUT, AS THE THREAT OF A STRIKE INTENSIFIES, FOREIGN MINISTERS
FROM THE GULF ARE MEETING AGAIN TO DISCUSS THE CRISIS. A FEW
DAYS EARLIER THEY ISSUED A WARNING THAT SADDAM HUSSEIN WOULD BE
HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF ITS BAN ON U-N
INSPECTIONS.
/// OPT /// EVEN SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS LIKE RUSSIA AND FRANCE
WHO BACKED IRAQ IN THE PAST ARE NOW WARNING SADDAM HUSSEIN THAT
TIME WAS QUICKLY RUNNING OUT FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. /// END
OPT ///
IN AMMAN, JORDANIANS SOUND RESIGNED TO SOME MILITARY ACTION
AGAINST IRAQ AND OFFICIALS WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACT IT WILL HAVE
ON THE FLOW OF MUCH-NEEDED IRAQI OIL. BUT ON SATURDAY, MOST
JORDANIANS WERE MORE INTERESTED IN CELEBRATING KING HUSSEIN'S
63RD BIRTHDAY AND IN PREPARING FOR (LAYLAT AL ISRA WA AL MIRAJ)
ONE OF THE HOLIEST MUSLIM HOLIDAYS, WHICH FALLS ON MONDAY.
SADDAM HUSSEIN MADE HIS FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE CRISIS LATE
FRIDAY. HE SAID HE WAS OPEN TO NEW INITIATIVES IF THEY INCLUDED
A PROMISE THAT U-N SANCTIONS WILL BE LIFTED.
PRESIDENT CLINTON ON FRIDAY SAID SADDAM HUSSEIN COULD END THE
CRISIS NOW BY RESUMING COOPERATION WITH THE U-N INSPECTORS.
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS DISCUSSING THE CRISIS AGAIN AFTER U-N
SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN WROTE A LETTER TO THE IRAQI LEADER
URGING HIM TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N INSPECTORS.
/// OPT THE REST /// AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE, U-N INSPECTORS
AND U-N HUMANITARIAN WORKERS WERE EVACUATED FROM IRAQ. THOSE
REMAINING IN BAGHDAD HAVE MOVED INTO THE U-N HEADQUARTERS THERE
FOR PROTECTION IN CASE THERE ARE MILITARY STRIKES. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/DW
14-Nov-98 8:20 AM EST (1320 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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