DATE=12/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243514
TITLE=IRAQ SATURDAY (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: EGYPT'S PRIME MINISTER KAMAL AL-GANZOURI IS HOLDING (EDS:
HELD) A CABINET MEETING SATURDAY TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN IRAQ
ONE WEEK AFTER THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS ORDERED A HALT TO
AIR STRIKES. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE
EAST BUREAU IN CAIRO THAT IRAQ NEWSPAPERS VOW THAT U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO IRAQ, AS THE REGION
CONTINUES TO SEETHE OVER LAST WEEKS AIR RAIDS.
TEXT: EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS SAID SATURDAY'S MINISTERIAL MEETING WAS
TO DISCUSS WAYS TO EASE THE SUFFERING OF IRAQS FOLLOWING THE FOUR
NIGHTS OF AIR STRIKES. THEY SAID IT WOULD ALSO REVIEW EFFORTS TO
LIFT THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.
THE ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARIAT IS SEEKING TO ORGANIZE A MEETING OF
ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS AMID CALLS FOR AN ARAB SUMMIT MEETING, AS
THE ARAB WORLD CONTINUES TO FEEL ANGER AND FRUSTRATION OVER THE
STRIKES.
IRAQ'S INFLUENTIAL BABEL NEWSPAPER SATURDAY REITERATED THE IRAQI
POSITION THAT U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO
RETURN TO IRAQ.AND IT PREDICTED THAT CONTROVERSIAL CHIEF WEAPONS
INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER, WHOSE REPORT LED TO THE AIR STRIKES,
WILL BE REPLACED.
IRAQI NEWSPAPERS SAID FRIDAY THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT ALLOW
ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES TO RESUME, IF
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ARE LIFTED. BUT THEY DISMISSED CALLS FROM
WASHINGTON AND LONDON THAT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS WILL BE LIFTED ONLY
AFTER FULL INSPECTIONS HAVE RESUMED.
/// REST OPT /// POLITICAL OBSERVERS IN THE REGION NOTE THAT ONE
WEEK AFTER THE END OF THE AIR STRIKES, ARAB POSITIONS HAVE
HARDENED OVER POLICY TOWARD IRAQ.
VIRTUALLY ALL ARAB GOVERNMENTS ARE NOW CALLING FOR AN END TO THE
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, SAYING THEY HAVE ONLY SERVED TO WEAKEN THE
IRAQI PEOPLE, WHILE STRENGTHENING THE IRAQI REGIME.
MANY ARAB LEADERS PRIVATELY ARE EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT A
MILITARY OPERATION WAS LAUNCHED BY TWO WORLD POWERS WITHOUT THE
CONSENT OF THEIR PARTNERS IN THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL AND DESPITE
THE OPPOSITION OF A LARGE NUMBER OF NATIONS OF THE WORLD.
THEY SEE THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL AS DIVIDED OVER POLICY TOWARD
IRAQ FOR WEEKS TO COME. AS A RESULT, THEY SEE SECRETARY GENERAL
KOFI ANNAN AS A MEDIATOR WITHOUT CLEAR DIRECTIONS ON WHAT STEPS
TO TAKE NEXT. AND THEY SEE MAJOR CRACKS IN THE INTERNATIONAL
CONSENSUS, FORGED A FEW YEARS AGO, OVER HOW TO COUNTER WHAT ARE
VIEWED AS THE ROGUE GOVERNMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SB/DW/GE
26-Dec-98 8:10 AM EST (1310 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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