DATE=5/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249665
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / HUMANITARIAN (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS HAS (TODAY/FRIDAY) RENEWED ITS
OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM FOR IRAQ, WHICH PROVIDES HUMANITARIAN
EXCEPTIONS TO SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON BAGHDAD AFTER THE GULF WAR.
MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT, MAX RUSTON.
TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION
(FRIDAY) EXTENDING THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM FOR IRAQ FOR AN
ADDITIONAL SIX MONTHS -- ITS FIFTH SUCH EXTENSION SINCE THE
PROGRAM BEGAN. THE RESOLUTION DIFFERS FROM THE PREVIOUS
EXTENSIONS, IN LEAVING OPEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE
FIVE-POINT-TWO-BILLION DOLLAR CEILING ON IRAQ'S OIL EXPORTS COULD
BE RAISED.
UNDER THE PROGRAM, IRAQ IS ALLOWED TO EXPORT OIL IN RETURN FOR
FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES. THE PROGRAM IS
DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT OF SANCTIONS ON ORDINARY IRAQI
PEOPLE.
DURING RECENT PHASES OF THE PROGRAM, LOW OIL PRICES AND
PRODUCTION DIFFICULTIES HAVE PREVENTED IRAQ FROM REACHING THE CAP
ON EXPORTS. BUT RISING OIL PRICES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE
INCREASED REVENUES. DIPLOMATS SAY THEY WANT TO BE PREPARED TO
LIFT THE EXPORT CEILING IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT IRAQ IS
CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING IT.
U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS PETER BURLEIGH:
/// BURLEIGH ACT ///
WE NOTE THAT THE RISE IN WORLD OIL PRICES HAS INCREASED
THE LEVEL OF AVAILABLE FUNDING IN RECENT MONTHS, AND
EXPRESS, AGAIN, OUR WILLINGNESS TO SEE THE PROGRAM
EXPAND IN RESPONSE TO HUMANITARIAN NEEDS.
/// END ACT ///
RUSSIA'S U-N AMBASSADOR, SERGEI LAVROV, EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE
EXTENSION, BUT CALLED FOR ADDITIONAL, STRONGER MEASURES TO EASE
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.
/// LAVROV ACT ///
SO WHILE AGREEING TO THIS RESOLUTION, WE REITERATE ONCE
AGAIN THE NEED TO URGENTLY ARRIVE AT THE SETTLEMENT OF
THE CURRENT DEADLOCK, WHICH WOULD INVOLVE INTRODUCING A
NEW MONITORING AND DISARMAMENT MECHANISM IN IRAQ IN
CONJUNCTION WITH RELIEVING THE BURDEN OF ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS. AND UNLESS THIS HAPPENS, WE DO NOT BELIEVE
THE HUMANITARIAN PROBLEMS OF IRAQ WILL BE ALLEVIATED.
/// END ACT ///
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL -- WHILE AGREEING TO EXTEND THE
OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM -- REMAINS SHARPLY DIVIDED ON THE ISSUE OF
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ. RUSSIA, FRANCE AND CHINA HAVE PROPOSED
LIFTING MOST OF THE SANCTIONS. THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN SAY
THAT CAN NOT BE DONE UNLESS IRAQ COOPERATES FULLY WITH U-N
EFFORTS TO VERIFY BAGHDAD'S CLAIMS THAT IT NO LONGER HAS ANY
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS CAN NOT BE LIFTED
UNTIL SUCH VERIFICATION IS RECEIVED. IRAQ SEVERED ITS
COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS LATE LAST YEAR,
SUSPENDING THE VERIFICATION PROCESS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO REACH A CONSENSUS ON THOSE
ISSUES, AND HOPE TO MAKE PROGRESS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
21-May-99 5:02 PM EDT (2102 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
