DATE=3/17/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246772
TITLE=SENATE-IRAQ OIL(L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS TELLING CONGRESS IRAQ CAN
BE ALLOWED TO SELL MORE OIL FOR FOOD WITHOUT DEPRESSING OIL
PRICES OR HURTING U-S INTERESTS. BUT THE IDEA HAS ENCOUNTERED
SHARP OPPOSITION FROM LAWMAKERS WHO SAY IT ONLY PROPS UP AN
OUTLAW STATE. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.
TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS "OIL FOR FOOD" PROGRAM IS MEANT TO
BRING RELIEF TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE WHILE KEEPING POST-GULF WAR
SANCTIONS ON THEIR GOVERNMENT. THE SYSTEM ALLOWS BAGHDAD TO SELL
ABOUT FIVE-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL EVERY SIX-MONTHS, FOR
FOOD AND MEDICINE.
THE UNITED STATES HAS PROPOSED LIFTING THAT CAP. AT A SENATE
HEARING (WEDNESDAY) ENERGY SECRETARY BILL RICHARDSON SAID THE
PLAN SHOULD NOT SHAKE UP THE MARKET BECAUSE IRAQ IS ALREADY
PRODUCING OIL AT FULL CAPACITY.
// RICHARDSON ACT //
THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM HAS NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED
INTERNATIONAL OIL PRICES TO THE POINT WHERE OUR DOMESTIC
OIL PRODUCERS SHOULD BE CONCERNED. IRAQ IS NOT A SWING
(MAJOR) PLAYER. IT AFFECTS, MARGINALLY, WORLD OIL
PRICES.
// END ACT //
OFFICIALS SAY SUSTAINING AND EXPANDING "OIL FOR FOOD" IS THE ONLY
WAY TO PRESERVE THE OVERALL SANCTIONS REGIME, WHICH A NUMBER OF
U-S ALLIES WOULD RATHER RELAX OR LIFT. MR. RICHARDSON ARGUES THE
SYSTEM IS WORKING AND SHOULD CONTINUE.
// RICHARDSON ACT //
SADDAM HUSSEIN IS CONTAINED. HE IS FURTHER ISOLATED.
WE HAVE INFLICTED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE ON HIS MILITARY
WITH THE BOMBING THAT TOOK PLACE. HE IS RIGHT NOW A
PARIAH.
// END ACT //
BUT AS THE HEARING MADE CLEAR, THE ADMINISTRATION VIEW HAS LITTLE
IF ANY SUPPORT AMONG REPUBLICANS. SENATE ASSISTANT MAJORITY
LEADER DON NICKLES BLASTED THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY AS WEAK AND
INCONSISTENT.
// NICKLES ACT //
WE HAVE RISKED U-S LIVES TIME AND TIME AGAIN. WE HAVE
KILLED IRAQIS, ON OCCASION SAYING "YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE
TO COMPLY (WITH THE UNITED NATIONS)". THE NET RESULT IS
IRAQ CAN PRODUCE ALL THE OIL THAT THEY WANT AND WE HAVE
NO ARMS CONTROL (IN IRAQ). SO THIS ADMINISTRATION'S
POLICY HAS BEEN APPEASEMENT.
// END ACT //
THOUGH MANY OF THE CRITICS COME FROM OIL-PRODUCING STATES, THEY
QUESTION BOTH THE STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THE PROGRAM.
ALASKA REPUBLICAN FRANK MURKOWSKI SAYS A HARDLINE APPROACH WOULD
EVENTUALLY BRING BETTER RESULTS -- INCLUDING THE END OF PRESIDENT
SADDAM HUSSEIN'S GOVERNMENT.
// MURKOWSKI ACT //
BUT IF YOU CUT OFF HIS OIL FLOW, HE CAN NOT BUILD
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. HE CRUMBLES. AND THERE
WILL BE, IN BAGHDAD, A CHANGE. NOW THE PEOPLE WILL
CERTAINLY SUFFER. BUT THEY ARE SUFFERING ANYWAY.
// END ACT //
EVEN SOME DEMOCRATS ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROGRAM MAY BE DIFFICULT TO
JUSTIFY. OTHERS SAY IT IS STILL NEEDED ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PW/RAE
17-Mar-99 2:35 PM EST (1935 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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