DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243180
TITLE=LATAM / IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: OFFICIAL REACTION IN LATIN AMERICA TO THE U-S-LED ATTACK
ON IRAQ, KNOWN AS "OPERATION DESERT FOX", IS MIXED.
CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU REPORTS THE
MOST CRITICAL COMMENTS ARE FROM CUBA AND MEXICO.
TEXT: CUBA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY HAS CONDEMNED THE U-S ATTACK ON
IRAQ. IT SAYS THE ACTION TRAMPLES PEACE UNDERFOOT, VIOLATES
INTERNATIONAL LAW, AND ENDANGERS THE IRAQI PEOPLE. ACCORDING TO
CUBA, THE ATTACKS WILL HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT OF SOLVING THE
PROBLEMS WITH IRAQ.
MEXICO'S CRITICISM WAS MORE VEILED, REGRETTING IT WAS NOT
POSSIBLE TO SOLVE THE CRISIS DIPLOMATICALLY AND CALLING FOR
RESPECT FOR PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.
BY CONTRAST, EL SALVADOR SAYS THE U-S ATTACKS ARE JUSTIFIED
BECAUSE OF THE THREAT POSED TO WORLD PEACE BY IRAQ'S DEVELOPMENT
OF ITS NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CAPABILITY.
BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA BOTH CALL ON IRAQ FOR FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL
COMPLIANCE WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS FOR INSPECTION OF ITS WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION. BRAZIL SAYS IT DEPLORES CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE
GIVEN RISE TO THE USE OF FORCE. ARGENTINA SAYS IRAQ, BY
COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS DIRECTIVES, CAN AVOID
UNNECESSARY AND UNFORTUNATE SUFFERING BY ITS PEOPLE.
FORMER ARGENTINE FOREIGN MINISTER DANTE CAPUTO SPOKE OUT MORE
BLUNTLY THAN HIS GOVERNMENT, SAYING U-S ACTION WITHOUT
AUTHORIZATION FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS A RETURN TO THE IDEA
OF TAKING JUSTICE INTO ONE'S OWN HANDS. MR. CAPUTO CALLED THIS A
SERIOUS BLOW TO WORLD ORDER.
IN CHILE, FOREIGN MINISTER JOSE MIGUEL INSULZA SAYS HIS
GOVERNMENT REGRETS THE USE OF FORCE IN THIS CASE, BUT UNDERSTANDS
IT. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/RAE
17-Dec-98 12:52 PM EST (1752 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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