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DATE=1/5/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243802
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / RELIEF WORKERS  (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS IS (TUESDAY) REJECTING BAGHDAD'S 
REQUEST THAT IT WITHDRAW U-S AND BRITISH RELIEF WORKERS FROM 
IRAQ.  IRAQ SAYS IT CANNOT GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OF THE WORKERS 
FOLLOWING U-S AND BRITISH AIR-STRIKES LAST MONTH.  V-O-A'S UNITED
NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY.
TEXT:  DIPLOMATS SAY THE UNITED NATIONS IS TELLING IRAQ THAT IT 
IS THE JOB OF U-N OFFICIALS TO DETERMINE WHO WORKS FOR U-N 
PROGRAMS AND IT IS IRAQ'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF 
ALL U-N STAFF IN THE COUNTRY.
DIPLOMATS SAY THE U-N SECRETARIAT PROVIDED DETAILS OF THE 
RESPONSE IN A BRIEFING TUESDAY TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.
BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE VERY SATISFIED WITH THE U-N 
RESPONSE.  U-S ENVOY NANCY SODERBERG SAYS WASHINGTON IS ALSO 
PLEASED WITH THE U-N POSITION ON THE ISSUE.
                      /// SODERBERG ACT ///
         WE ARE PLEASED THAT THE SECRETARIAT HAS DECIDED NOT TO 
         ACCEDE TO THE LATEST IRAQI EFFORT TO UNDERMINE THE 
         EFFORTS OF THE HUMANITARIAN WORKERS THERE IN THEIR 
         EFFORT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SOME NATIONALITIES.  I 
         THINK THAT EFFORT IS CLEARLY UNDERMINED.  THERE ARE 
         CLEAR OBLIGATIONS TO PROTECT AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO 
         HUMANITARIAN WORKERS IN THE UNITED NATIONS, SO WE 
         WELCOME THAT EFFORT THIS MORNING BY THE UNITED NATIONS.
                         /// END ACT ///
MS. SODERBERG SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS NO INTENTION OF REMOVING
U-S RELIEF WORKERS FROM IRAQ.
THE U-N LETTER IS A RESPONSE TO A MESSAGE FROM IRAQ REQUESTING 
THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRITISH AND U-S RELIEF WORKERS IN THE 
COUNTRY.  IRAQ SAYS IT CANNOT GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OF THOSE 
WORKERS FOLLOWING U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES LAST MONTH.  IT 
SAYS THE STRIKES AROUSED DEEP POPULAR ANGER IN IRAQ AGAINST 
BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.
U-N OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE JUST OVER ONE DOZEN BRITISH AND 
AMERICAN RELIEF WORKERS IN IRAQ.  MOST OF THEM ARE ASSOCIATED 
WITH THE UNITED NATIONS' OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM, WHICH ALLOWS IRAQ 
TO EXPORT LIMITED QUANTITIES OF OIL IN RETURN FOR MEDICAL AND 
RELIEF SUPPLIES.  THE PROGRAM OPERATES AS AN EXCEPTION TO 
SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER THE GULF WAR.  (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
05-Jan-99 3:21 PM EST (2021 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.