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DATE=1/24/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244598
TITLE=ARAB LEAGUE / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB 
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  IRAQ HAS WALKED OUT OF THE ARAB LEAGUE FOREIGN MINISTERS 
MEETING IN CAIRO. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM THE 
EGYPTIAN CAPITAL THAT THE DELEGATION LEFT IN PROTEST OVER A FINAL
STATEMENT THAT CALLED ON IRAQ TO CEASE PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS 
AGAINST ITS NEIGHBORS.
TEXT:  IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMMED SAEED AL-SAHAF TOLD 
REPORTERS HIS DELEGATION LEFT THE ARAB LEAGUE MEETING BECAUSE 
THERE WERE UNBALANCED IDEAS IN ITS FINAL STATEMENT.  HE SAID IRAQ
COULD  NOT  ACCEPT WHAT HE CALLED A MEETING WHICH CONSPIRES 
AGAINST IRAQ AND GIVES THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS A PRETEXT 
FOR NEW ATTACKS. 
THE IRAQI OFFICIAL ACCUSED SEVERAL ARAB GOVERNMENTS -- INCLUDING 
EGYPT, SYRIA, SAUDI ARABIA AND KUWAIT -- OF INFLUENCING THE FINAL
COMMUNIQUE SO THAT, RATHER THAN CONDEMN THE ATTACKS AGAINST IRAQ,
IT BLAMED IRAQ FOR THE ATTACKS.
MANY ARAB GOVERNMENTS HAVE EXPRESSED SYMPATHY OVER THE SUFFERING 
OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE BECAUSE OF U-N SANCTIONS AND WESTERN AIR 
STRIKES. HOWEVER, SOME SAY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PLIGHT LIES 
WITH THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.
THE ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS MET ALL DAY SUNDAY TRYING TO FORGE A 
COMMON POSITION ON THE IRAQI CRISIS.  THEIR FINAL STATEMENT 
EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER LAST MONTH'S U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES 
AND URGES ARAB LEADERS TO WORK TO LIFT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST
IRAQ.  IN EXCHANGE, THE DOCUMENT CALLS ON IRAQ TO CEASE 
AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS AGAINST ITS NEIGHBORS AND RECOGNIZE EXISTING 
BORDERS IN THE REGION. 
THE IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER BEFORE THE MEETING WARNED HIS 
DELEGATION WOULD ACCEPT NOTHING LESS THAN A CONDEMNATION OF THE 
AIR STRIKES AND AN UNCONDITIONAL END TO THE SANCTIONS.
THE IRAQI WALKOUT COMES AMID REPORTS THAT IRAQ IS REINFORCING 
TROOPS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ.  NEWS AGENCIES QUOTE THE MILITARY 
COMMANDER IN THE SOUTHERN CITY OF BASRA AS SAYING AIR DEFENSES 
ARE BEING REINFORCED IN ORDER TO PROTECT IRAQ FROM ANY NEW AIR 
STRIKES. THE OFFICER DENIED IRAQ HAS ANY INTENTION OF USING THE 
FORCES AGAINST NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.
IN ADDITION, U-S WARPLANES PATROLLING THE NO-FLY ZONE IN SOUTHERN
IRAQ TWICE FIRED ON GROUND-BASED, IRAQI AIR DEFENSES SUNDAY AFTER
THEY WERE TARGETED BY IRAQI RADAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JO
24-Jan-99 2:38 PM EST (1938 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.