DATE=1/7/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243886
TITLE=ARAB / SADDAM REACTION (L)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIROCONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: ARAB MEDIA IN THE MIDDLE EAST ARE REJECTING A CALL BY
IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN TO SUPPORT HIS CONFRONTATION WITH
THE UNITED NATIONS. RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS, FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST
BUREAU IN CAIRO, MUCH OF THE ARAB MEDIA ARE CALLING FOR THE
REMOVAL OF THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP WHICH IS BLAMED FOR THE SUFFERING
OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE.
TEXT: EGYPTIAN NEWSPAPERS ARE CALLING SADDAM HUSSEIN A BUTCHER.
SAUDI ARABIA'S "AL RIYADH" NEWSPAPER SAID IRAQ'S LEADERSHIP IS,
IN ITS WORDS -- INTELLECTUALLY BANKRUPT. THE NEWSPAPER SAID THE
ONLY SOLUTION IS THE TERMINATION OF SADDAM.
THE MEDIA ASSAULT FROM THE ARAB WORLD COMES IN RESPONSE TO AN
IRAQI CALL FOR SUPPORT MADE EARLIER THIS WEEK. THE IRAQI
PRESIDENT ASKED ARABS TO RISE AGAINST GOVERNMENTS THAT DO NOT
SIDE WITH HIM, IN HIS WORDS, "TO REVOLT AND UNSEAT THESE STOOGES,
COLLABORATORS, THRONE DWARFS, AND COWARDS."
KUWAIT'S "AL ANBA" NEWSPAPER RESPONDED DIRECTLY TO THE CALL
THURSDAY SAYING THAT ONLY IRAQ'S OPPOSITION WILL HEED THE CALL BY
RISING UP AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN. THE PAPER CALLED THE IRAQI
PRESIDENT "A MORON" AND ENVISIONED A DAY WHEN THE IRAQI PEOPLE
WILL SPIT ON HIS STATUES.
THE SAUDI "AL YOM" NEWSPAPER SAID ARABS WILL NOT LISTEN TO SADDAM
HUSSEIN'S CALL FOR SUPPORT.
THE HARSH CRITICISM COMES AS IRAQ AND SEVERAL ARAB STATES ARE
LOBBYING FOR AN ARAB SUMMIT TO CONDEMN MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST
IRAQ AND THE CONTINUATION OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. BUT THE ARAB
WORLD IS DIVIDED OVER THE SUMMIT WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR LATER
THIS MONTH. (SIGNED)
NEB/RHE/RAE/JO
07-Jan-99 9:07 AM EST (1407 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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