DATE=12/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243442
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ HAS BANNED UNITED NATIONS FLIGHTS
INTO THE!COUNTRY!-- THE ACTION COMING FOUR DAYS AFTER THE END OF
U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES. MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT
BOBB REPORTS THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS U-N WORKERS RESUME
HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS IN IRAQ SUSPENDED DURING THE ATTACKS.
TEXT: U-N SOURCES TOLD REPORTERS WEDNESDAY IRAQI OFFICIALS
REFUSED PERMISSION FOR A U-N PLANE TO FLY TO BAGHDAD. AS A
RESULT, THEY SAY U-N SPECIAL ENVOY PRAKASH SHAH, WHO WAS LEAVING
FROM BAGHDAD ON HOLIDAY, LEFT BY ROAD FOR JORDAN.
THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL EXPLANATION FOR THE BAN.
IRAQI AIR DEFENSES ARE REPORTEDLY STILL ON ALERT, FOLLOWING THE
ATTACKS, WHICH U-S AND BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY HIT NEARLY 100
TARGETS. //OPT// IRAQI OFFICIALS TUESDAY SAID A WESTERN PLANE
FIRED TWO MISSILES NEAR THE SOUTHERN CITY OF BASRA, A CHARGE
WHICH WAS DENIED BY THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS. //END OPT//
FOLMOWING TIE AIR STRIKES, IRAQI OFFICIALS SAID THE U-N SPECIAL
COMMISSION IN IRAQ WAS FINISHED AND U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WOULD
NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETURN. THE INSPECTORS USUALLY TRAVEL TO IRAQ
BY AIR FROM BAHRAIN. U-N HUMANITARIAN WORKERS USUALLY TRAVEL BY
ROAD FROM NEIGHBORING JORDAN.
THE HUMANITARIAN WORKERS WEDNESDAY RESUMED DISTRIBUTIONS OF FOOD
AND MEDICINE TO NEEDY IRAQIS. MOST OF THEIR STAFF RETURNED
TUESDAY AFTER BEING EVACUATED LAST WEEK DURING THE AIR STRIKES.
OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ASSESSING THE DAMAGE.
THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT IS ALSO ASSESSING THE DAMAGE. REPORTS SAY IT
INTENDS TO SEEK COMPENSATION BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS.
///REST OPT.///
THE IRAQI NEWS MEDIA WEDNESDAY DEMANDED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL
PUNISH THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN FOR THE ATTACKS.
THE OFFICIAL "AL-JUMHOURIA" NEWSPAPER SAID THE UNITED STATES AND
BRITAIN SHOULD BE OBLIGED TO PAY REPARATIONS GOR IRAQ'S HUMAN AND
MATERIAL LOSSES.
THE "AL-THAWRA" PAPER OF THE RULING BAATH PARTY SAID THE U-N
SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER LIFTING THE ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ BECAUSE OF THE ATTACKS.
U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WOULD CONSIDER INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF
OIL IRAQ CAN EXPORT IN ORDER TO BUY FOOD AND MEDICINE FOR ITS
PEOPLE. BUT THE OFFICIALS MAINTAIN THAT BEFORE THE SANCTIONS CAN
BE LIFTED, IRAQ MUST RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTORS -- A CONDITION THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT REJECTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/PCF
23-Dec-98 8:25 AM EST (1325 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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