DATE=1/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243973
TITLE=IRAQ/PARLIAMENT (S/L)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ'S PARLIAMENT MET FOR A SPECIAL SESSION
SATURDAY. RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN
CAIRO THAT IRAQI LAWMAKERS URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO
DEFY NO-FLY ZONES AND TO REJECT ALL U-N SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS.
TEXT: EVERY SPEAKER IN THE SPECIAL PARLIAMENT SESSION CALLED ON
IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN TO IGNORE THE WESTERN-IMPOSED
NO-FLY ZONES, DESPITE THE RISK OF INITIATING A NEW MILITARY
CONFRONTATION.
THE 250-MEMBER PARLIAMENT FURTHER CALLED ON IRAQ TO BREAK ALL
TIES WITH THE UNITED NATIONS. A SENIOR MEMBER OF IRAQ'S RULING
BAATH PARTY SAID HE EXPECTS PARLIAMENT TO PASS A RESOLUTION
SUNDAY THAT WILL FORMALLY END COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTORS.
THE OFFICIAL SAID PARLIAMENT WILL ALSO REJECT ALL SECURITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS RELATED TO THE ENDING OF THE GULF WAR. THESE
RESOLUTIONS INCLUDE ONE WHICH ESTABLISHED IRAQ'S BORDER WITH
KUWAIT AND THE OIL-FOR-FOOD AGREEMENT, WHICH ALLOWS IRAQ TO SELL
OIL IN EXCHANGE FOR BASIC COMMODITIES.
// REST OPT //
IRAQ'S PARLIAMENT IS ALSO EXPECTED TO REJECT A U-N RESOLUTION
THAT ORDERED THE COUNTRY TO BE STRIPPED OF WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION IN RETURN FOR THE LIFTING OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.
IRAQI LAWMAKERS FURTHER DEMANDED THAT ARAB COUNTRIES THAT
SUPPORTED U-S AND BRITISH MILITARY STRIKES LAST MONTH SHOULD BE
PUNISHED.
THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP HAS ALREADY SAID IT WILL IGNORE NO-FLY
ZONES, AND SINCE THE ATTACKS HAS BEEN TARGETING U-S AND BRITISH
PLANES MONITORING THE ZONES IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN IRAQ.
THE NO-FLY ZONES WERE SET UP AFTER THE GULF WAR TO PROTECT
KURDISH AND SHITE MINORITIES FROM IRAQI AIR ASSAULTS.
ON SATURDAY, BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TOLD BRITISH
TROOPS IN KUWAIT THAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES ARE PREPARED
TO RESPOND WITH MORE MILITARY STRIKES IF PROVOKED BY IRAQ.
(SIGNED)
NEB/RHE/DW
09-Jan-99 9:51 AM EST (1451 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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