DATE=3/4/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246235
TITLE=IRAQ PIPELINE (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQ SAYS IT HAS RESUMED PUMPING OIL THROUGH ITS ONLY
OPERATING PIPELINE. THE OIL FLOW HAD BEEN HALTED SINCE SUNDAY,
WHEN THE COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES THAT CONTROL OIL DISTRIBUTION
WERE DAMAGED BY U-S AIR STRIKES. V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT
SCOTT BOBB REPORTS THE AIR STRIKES HAVE AGAIN FOCUSED ATTENTION
ON THE DEBATE OVER WESTERN AIR PATROLS IN NO-FLY ZONES OVER IRAQ.
TEXT: IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY THE OIL RESUMED FLOWING EARLY THURSDAY
AFTER A FOUR-DAY INTERRUPTION. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OIL MINISTRY
IN BAGHDAD SAID THE PIPELINE WAS OPERATING AT ITS NORMAL CAPACITY
AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF INTENSE REPAIR WORK.
ONE-HALF OF IRAQI OIL EXPORTS ARE TRANSPORTED THROUGH THE
PIPELINE FROM OIL FIELDS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ TO THE TURKISH PORT OF
CEYHAN ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA.
U-N OFFICIALS MONITORING THE IRAQI OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM SAY THE
INTERRUPTION WAS NOT LIKELY TO DISRUPT OIL EXPORTS, BECAUSE
THERE WERE SEVERAL DAYS WORTH OF STOCKS AT THE PORT. UNDER A U-N
PLAN IRAQ IS ALLOWED TO EXPORT TWO MILLION BARRELS OF OIL PER DAY
IN ORDER TO BUY FOOD AND MEDICINE FOR ITS PEOPLE, HARD HIT BY
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS SINCE THE GULF WAR.
THE OIL FLOW WAS HALTED SUNDAY WHEN PUMPING AND COMMUNICATIONS
INSTALLATIONS ALONG THE PIPELINE IN NORTHERN IRAQ WERE DAMAGED BY
U-S AIR STRIKES. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE INSTALLATIONS ALSO SERVED
MILITARY PURPOSES AND WERE HIT IN RETALIATION FOR IRAQI ARTILLERY
FIRE AT U-S PLANES.
THE NO-FLY ZONES WERE ESTABLISHED OVER NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN IRAQ
AFTER THE GULF WAR TO PROTECT DISSIDENT POPULATIONS FROM IRAQI
AIR ATTACKS. HOWEVER, IRAQ SAYS THEY VIOLATE ITS TERRITORIAL
SOVEREIGNTY, AND IRAQI DEFENSES HAVE CHALLENGED THE AIR PATROLS
MORE AGGRESSIVELY IN RECENT MONTHS.
THE DISRUPTION TO THE PIPELINE HAS INTENSIFIED THE DEBATE OVER
THE NO-FLY ZONES. TURKEY'S PRESIDENT HAS CALLED THE ATTACKS ON
THE PIPELINE UNACCEPTABLE. U-N SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS RUSSIA
AND CHINA ARE CRITICIZING THE PATROLS, SAYING THEY WERE NOT
MANDATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. AND FRANCE AND MALAYSIA SAY THEY
ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A POSSIBLE DISRUPTION OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO
IRAQ, WHICH U-N OFFICIALS SAY IS BEING HINDERED BY THE RISING
CONFRONTATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH
04-Mar-99 9:41 AM EST (1441 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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