DATE=12/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243241
TITLE=ARABS / IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: DEMONSTRATIONS WERE REPORTED IN SEVERAL CITIES AROUND THE
MIDDLE EAST TO PROTEST THE U-S AND BRITISH ATTACKS AGAINST IRAQ.
RICHARD ENGEL IN CAIRO REPORTS THE DEMONSTRATORS SAY THEY VIEW
THE ATTACKS AS AN ASSAULT AGAINST ARABS AND MUSLIMS, AND NOT
SADDAM HUSSEIN.
TEXT: IN CAIRO, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PROTESTED AT THE AZHAR
MOSQUE AFTER THE FRIDAY MID-DAY PRAYERS. IT WAS THE SECOND DAY
OF DEMONSTRATIONS IN CAIRO AGAINST THE ATTACKS ON IRAQ.
/// PROTEST SOUNDS - FADE UNDER ///
THE PROTESTERS CHANTED ISLAMIC SLOGANS AND DENOUNCED THE UNITED
STATES AFTER EGYPT'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PREACHER, THE SHEIKH OF AL
AZHAR, CALLED ON ALL MUSLIMS TO SUPPORT IRAQ.
SIMILAR PROTESTS TOOK PLACE FRIDAY IN OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES.
ABOUT 15-THOUSAND PEOPLE DEMONSTRATED IN LEBANON. PROTESTS ALSO
WERE HELD IN YEMEN AND JORDAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SAID
THE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION AND IS
NOT ACCEPTABLE.
KUWAIT, THE COUNTRY INVADED BY IRAQ IN 1990, SAID IT HAS NOTHING
TO DO WITH THE CURRENT CRISIS.
IN KUWAIT AND OTHER U-S ALLIES LIKE EGYPT AND JORDAN, GOVERNMENTS
ARE COMING UNDER PRESSURE TO ADOPT A MORE ANTI-AMERICAN POSITION.
IN EGYPT AND JORDAN, SECURITY HAS BEEN DRAMATICALLY INCREASED TO
KEEP PROTESTS PEACEFUL. THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT HAS ORDERED
SOME U-S EMBASSY PERSONNEL TO LEAVE KUWAIT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RHE/JWH/KL
18-Dec-98 10:28 AM EST (1528 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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