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DATE=1/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244235
TITLE=IRAQ PEACE MARCH (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID DYAR
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: A U-S-BASED PEACE GROUP HAS BEGUN A MARCH FROM WASHINGTON 
TO NEW YORK TO PROTEST THE U-N SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.  V-O-A 
CORRESPONDENT DAVID DYAR REPORTS THAT THE GROUP SAYS THE 
SANCTIONS SHOULD BE LIFTED TO HELP STOP THE DEATHS OF IRAQI 
CHILDREN.
TEXT: A GROUP CALLED "VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS" SAYS ITS 18-DAY 
WALK WILL END AT THE UNITED NATIONS BUILDING.  THE MARCHERS -- 
NUMBERING LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED -- BEGAN THEIR WALK AT THE 
PENTAGON.  ONE OF THE GROUP'S SPOKESMEN, JESUIT PRIEST SIMON 
HARAK, SAYS THE ROUTE OF THE WALK IS SYMBOLIC OF THE GROUP'S 
GOALS.
                        ///HARAK CUT 1///
         WE ARE ASKING THE U-N TO WALK AWAY FROM THE PENTAGON ---
         FROM THE POLICY, WHICH IS CLEARLY ONE THAT ATTACKS THE 
         PEOPLE OF IRAQ.
                          ///END CUT///
THE GROUP HAS BEEN PROTESTING THE SANCTIONS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.  
MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION HAVE DEFIED U-S REGULATIONS BY 
TRAVELING TO IRAQ AND SENDING MEDICINE AND OTHER GOODS TO IRAQI 
HOSPITALS.
THE MARCHERS CARRIED SIGNS SAYING, "SEVEN-THOUSAND IRAQI CHILDREN
DIE EACH MONTH," AND "WHY LET IRAQI CHILDREN DIE?"
THE MARCH COMES AT A TIME WHEN THE SANCTIONS ARE COMING UNDER 
INCREASING CRITICISM FROM SOME MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL.
U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT IS DELIBERATELY DEPRIVING 
IRAQI CITIZENS OF THE HELP THEY NEED BY FAILING TO USE MONEY IT 
CURRENTLY IS ALLOWED TO RECEIVE FOR HUMANITARIAN CAUSES.
NEVERTHELESS, THE UNITED STATES THIS WEEK PROPOSED ALTERING THE 
SANCTIONS TO ELIMINATE THE CEILING ON IRAQI OIL SALES ABROAD AS 
LONG AS THE PROCEEDS ARE USED TO BUY FOOD AND MEDICINE.
BUT FATHER HARAK SAYS THAT PROPOSAL CANNOT WORK WITHOUT OTHER 
CHANGES.
                        ///HARAK CUT 2///
         IT CAN'T WITHOUT A RESTRUCTURING OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE. 
         IRAQ HAS TO BE ALLOWED TO SPEND ITS MONEY ON REBUILDING 
         ITS BRIDGES, ROADS, AND TIRES ON ITS CARS, HOSPITALS AND
         WATER TREATMENT PLANTS.  ALL OF THESE COULD  NOT  BE 
         COVERED UNDER SUCH AN AGREEMENT.
                          ///END CUT///
THE MARCHERS STAGED A VIGIL OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE BEFORE 
LEAVING THE CITY FOR THE 375 KILOMETER WALK TO NEW YORK CITY.  
(SIGNED)
NEB/DWD/GE
15-Jan-99 2:03 PM EST (1903 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.