DATE=11/3/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ / EMBARGO (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255768
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Iraq's Foreign Minister is asking for a
constructive dialogue between the Security Council and
his country to find a way to end U-N sanctions. Lisa
Schlein reports from Geneva, Muhammad Sa'id Al-Sahhaf
says his country will not accept a temporary
suspension of sanctions.
TEXT: Iraq's Foreign Minister, Muhammad Sa'id Al-
Sahhaf blames the deterioration in the social and
economic well-being of his country on U-N sanctions
that were imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.
Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Mr. Al-Sahhaf
says there should be continuous contacts between the
Security Council and Iraq. He says a constructive
dialogue is the only way in which problems can be
solved.
Mr. Al-Sahhaf says it is time for nine-years of what
he calls -- a vindictive policy against Iraq to end.
The sanctions are to be lifted after U-N weapons
inspectors determine Iraq's weapons of mass
destruction have been eliminated. The Foreign
Minister says Iraq is adhering to the sanctions
resolutions.
But U-N inspectors left Iraq last December after being
denied access to suspected weapons production sites.
Mr. Al-Sahhaf says his country is not to blame and the
inspectors might be able to come back.
/// AL SAHHAF ACT ///
If they want to come back, they have to discuss,
they have to condemn those aggressors and they
have to lift sanctions imposed on Iraq. We are
ready to engage in a dialogue with the Security
Council in order to arrange all these things.
And that the ongoing monitoring regime returns
to Iraq, sanctions should be lifted.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Al-Sahhaf rejects suggestions that sanctions be
temporarily suspended. The five permanent Security
Council members - Britain, China, France, Russia, and
the United States - have been trying to agree on a
plan that would suspend the sanctions in return for a
new weapons inspection commission.
The Iraqi diplomat notes Security Council resolutions
say nothing about such a procedure. He says this is
an attempt to impose new condtions by re-writing U-N
resolutions.
/// 2ND AL-SAHHAF ACT ///
It is not accepted to impose sanctions and not
to know how to lift it. They impose sanctions
before more than nine-years and they are
differing with each other in the Council and the
victim is waiting to see when they reach some
kind of a decision.
/// END ACT ///
The Iraqi Foreign Minister says he believes it is
better to work toward a definitive end to the
sanctions. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/RAE
03-Nov-1999 11:10 AM EDT (03-Nov-1999 1610 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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