DATE=11/24/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N / OIL EXPORTS (L)
NUMBER=2-256506
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A senior official in Iraq has rejected as
senseless a recent two-week extension of the U-N oil-
for-food program for Iraq. V-O-A Middle East
Correspondent Scott Bobb reports the Iraqi statement
follows the suspension of Iraqi oil exports Tuesday.
TEXT: Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, told
reporters (Wednesday) it was senseless for the U-N
Security Council to extend the program by a mere two
weeks when normally extensions last six months. As a
result he said, the Iraqi government has decided not
to acknowledge the extension.
Mr. Aziz indicated the Iraqi government also is ready
to reject a plan currently before the U-N Security
Council that would end international sanctions in
exchange for the return of U-N weapons inspectors.
The Iraqi official said the proposals currently under
discussion are misleading because they will not lead
to what he called a serious softening of the embargo.
Iraq announced the suspension of oil exports Tuesday,
three days after the current phase of the oil-for-food
program was to have expired. This phase has allowed
Iraq to export eight-billion dollars worth of oil to
purchase food, medicine, and other humanitarian
supplies. It is the sixth such plan and is aimed at
relieving some of the suffering of the Iraqi people
after nine years of sanctions.
U-N officials say they have received assurances from
Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations that Iraq
intends to continue the oil-for-food program.
However, the Iraqi envoy told reporters his government
will only make a decision once the U-N proposal is
clear.
The suspension of Iraqi oil exports caused oil prices
to rally to their highest levels since the Gulf War.
But prices subsequently fell back on speculation that
Iraqi exports would soon resume or be replaced by
other oil producers. (Signed)
NEB/SB/JWH/JP
24-Nov-1999 11:14 AM EDT (24-Nov-1999 1614 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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