DATE=1/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244192
TITLE=U-N / U-S / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES PROPOSED TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY
COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) THE LIFTING OF SOME TRADE RESTRICTIONS
ON IRAQ. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE PROCEEDS FROM THE CHANGES MUST BE
MONITORED AND USED ONLY FOR MEDICINE AND RELIEF SUPPLIES.
V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY.
TEXT: THE UNITED STATES IS PROPOSING THE ELIMINATION OF A
CEILING ON IRAQI OIL EXPORTS, PROVIDED THE PROCEEDS ARE USED FOR
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF. THE PROPOSAL APPEARS TO BE A RESPONSE TO
GROWING INTERNATIONAL CONCERN OVER THE IMPACT SANCTIONS IMPOSED
AFTER THE GULF WAR ARE HAVING ON ORDINARY IRAQI PEOPLE.
IF THE U-S PROPOSAL IS ACCEPTED, IT WOULD MODIFY THE UNITED
NATIONS' EXISTING OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM, WHICH ALLOWS LIMITED OIL
EXPORTS IN RETURN FOR RELIEF SUPPLIES.
U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS PETER BURLEIGH SAYS
WASHINGTON SHARES THOSE CONCERNS BUT BLAMES THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT
FOR FAILING TO UTILIZE EXISTING OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE.
/// BURLEIGH ACT ///
THE BASIC PROBLEM CONTINUES TO BE THE GOVERNMENT OF
IRAQ'S UNWILLINGNESS TO MANAGE THIS OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM
IN AN EFFICIENT AND TIMELY MANNER. I THINK YOU ALL
WOULD BE AWARE OF RECENT REPORTS THAT THERE ARE ENORMOUS
NUMBERS OF MEDICINES FOR EXAMPLE THAT ARE IN STORAGE
INSIDE IRAQ. THESE ARE NOT PENDING APPROVAL HERE IN NEW
YORK. THESE ARE NOT SHIPS THAT ARE BRINGING MEDICINES
TO IRAQ ON THE SEAS NOW. BUT THEY HAVE ARRIVED IN IRAQ
AND ARE NOT BEING DISTRIBUTED.
/// END ACT ///
THE U-S PROPOSAL WOULD ALSO ALLOW IRAQ TO BORROW MORE FUNDS FOR
RELIEF PROJECTS AND PERMIT IT TO ACCEPT DONATIONS FOR THE SAME
PURPOSE.
IRAQ HAS BLAMED THE SANCTIONS FOR HUNDREDS-OF-THOUSANDS OF
DEATHS, MANY OF THEM CHILDREN. MR. BURLEIGH SAYS IRAQ HAS BEEN
DRAMATIZING ITS PROBLEMS AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ITS OWN PEOPLE
FOR PROPAGANDA PURPOSES ... CHARGES IRAQ HAS IN THE PAST DENIED.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS ALSO CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL FROM FRANCE
FOR CHANGES IN THE U-N SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE DISARMAMENT OF
IRAQ. ON WEDNESDAY, FRANCE PROPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY REFORMING OR
REPLACING THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM, AND
GRADUALLY LIFTING SANCTIONS.
U-S REPRESENTATIVE PETER BURLEIGH SAYS WASHINGTON IS CONTINUING
TO STUDY THE FRENCH PROPOSAL BUT REMAINS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF
UNSCOM.
RUSSIA HAS VOICED SUPPORT FOR THE FRENCH PROPOSAL. IRAQ HAS
REITERATED ITS DEMAND FOR THE FULL AND IMMEDIATE LIFTING OF ALL
SANCTIONS AND SAYS IT WILL NOT ALLOW ANY MORE WEAPONS
INSPECTIONS. DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS SAY IT COULD TAKE
SEVERAL WEEKS TO DEVELOP A CONSENSUS ON WHAT TO DO NEXT ABOUT
IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
14-Jan-99 1:40 PM EST (1840 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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