DATE=3/18/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246843
TITLE=U-N / SAUDI / IRAQ (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: AT THE UNITED NATIONS, DIVISIONS IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL
OVER HOW TO DEAL WITH IRAQ ARE CONTINUING TO SURFACE. THE LATEST
SPLIT WAS EVIDENT IN THE COUNCIL'S SANCTIONS COMMITTEE, WHICH MET
TODAY (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS IRAQ'S SENDING OF PILGRIMAGE FLIGHTS
TO SAUDI ARABIA WITHOUT U-N APPROVAL. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT
MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: THE COUNCIL'S SANCTIONS COMMITTEE MET AFTER RECEIVING A
LETTER FROM SAUDI ARABIA ASKING FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH
IRAQI PLANES FLYING PILGRIMS TO MECCA. IRAQ HAS SENT AT LEAST
THREE PLANES TO SAUDI ARABIA THIS WEEK. SAUDI ARABIA ALLOWED AT
LEAST ONE TO RETURN TO IRAQ AFTER UNLOADING ITS PASSENGERS AND
HAS SAID IT WILL DO THE SAME WITH OTHERS IF IT DOES NOT RECEIVE
GUIDANCE FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL.
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS APPROVED AFTER THE GULF WAR DEMAND
NOTIFICATION OF FLIGHTS AND BAR IRAQ FROM CARRYING OUT ANY
COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS. DIPLOMATS SAY SANCTIONS COMMITTEE
MEMBERS DISAGREE OVER WHETHER IRAQ'S SENDING OF PLANES TO MECCA
VIOLATES THOSE RESOLUTIONS. THE FLIGHTS ALSO APPEAR TO VIOLATE A
WESTERN-IMPOSED NO-FLY ZONE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ.
U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD RELEASED A BRIEF, OFFICIAL STATEMENT
ON THE COMMITTEE'S DISCUSSIONS.
/// ECKHARD ACT ///
ACCORDING TO THE COMMITTEE, THERE WAS NO CONSENSUS ON
THIS MATTER AMONG MEMBERS.
/// END ACT ///
THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN SHARPLY DIVIDED OVER IRAQ SINCE
DECEMBER, WHEN THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN LAUNCHED A SERIES OF
MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST THAT COUNTRY. THE STRIKES WERE CARRIED
OUT IN AN EFFORT TO PRESSURE IRAQ INTO RESUMING COOPERATION WITH
THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM. SINCE THEN, THE
COUNCIL HAS TAKEN ALMOST NO ACTION CONCERNING IRAQ, AND ALL
INSPECTIONS HAVE STOPPED.
THE MAIN DIVISION IN THE COUNCIL IS BETWEEN RUSSIA, FRANCE AND
CHINA ON ONE SIDE, CALLING FOR AN EASING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST
IRAQ. BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES ARE ON THE OTHER, SAYING
IRAQ HAS NOT MET COUNCIL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE LIFTING
OR EASING OF SANCTIONS.
DIPLOMATS SAY IRAQ'S DECISION TO SEND PILGRIMAGE FLIGHTS TO MECCA
MAY BE AN EFFORT BY BAGHDAD TO MAINTAIN THOSE DIVISIONS AND
CONTINUE PRESSING FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS. THEY SAY THE
FACT THAT THE FLIGHTS ARE RELIGIOUS IN NATURE MAKES IT
PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR BRITAIN OR THE UNITED STATES TO
RESPOND WITH MILITARY ACTION. THEY SAY THAT LACK OF ENFORCEMENT
IS THEN SEEN BY MANY AS A SIGN THAT SANCTIONS ARE NO LONGER
EFFECTIVE. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/GE
18-Mar-99 3:27 PM EST (2027 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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