DATE=11/17/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ-U-N-OIL SALES (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256287
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council is expected
to decide this week to renew a humanitarian exemption
to the embargo on the purchase of oil from Iraq.
However, delays in shipment of certain goods to Iraq
continue to be a matter of controversy. V-O-A
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United
Nations.
TEXT: The Security Council has met informally to
discuss a six-month renewal of Iraq's authority to
sell oil to raise money for food and other
humanitarian needs. That renewal will almost certainly
be approved by the Council before the current
authority expires on November 21st.
However, there is still controversy in the Security
Council about the policy, backed by Britain and the
United States, of holding up shipments of some Iraqi
imports under the program. In a report to the Council,
Benon Sevan, Director of the U-N Iraq Program, said
those so-called "holds" on imports have adversely
affected Iraq's agricultural sector and limited the
country's ability to generate reliable electric power.
But Peter Burleigh, the Deputy Chief of the United
States Mission to the United Nations, says "holds"
have been put on some shipments simply because the
shippers have not provided sufficient information
about what is being sent to Iraq. He also told
reporters the United States continues to put "holds"
on imports into Iraq that could be used for military
purposes.
/// BURLEIGH ACT ///
We are going to continue our "holds" policy
until we are satisfied that nothing that has to
do with weapons of mass destruction finds its
way into Iraq.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Burleigh says it should be clear by the end of
this month whether the Security Council can agree on a
resolution that would suspend sanctions against Iraq
in exchange for the return of arms inspectors who were
expelled by Iraq a year ago. The five permanent
members of the Council have been holding a series of
private meetings to work out details of that
resolution. (Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/ENE/gm
17-Nov-1999 16:36 PM EDT (17-Nov-1999 2136 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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