DATE=12/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N (S-L)
NUMBER=2-256840
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Iraq has rejected a one-week extension of the
United Nations' oil-for-food program. Richard Engel
reports from our Middle East bureau that Iraq says
such a short extension is meaningless.
TEXT: Iraq's foreign ministry accused the United
States and Britain Friday of orchestrating the one-
week extension of the program that allows Iraq to sell
oil to buy food and medicine.
Iraq's oil minister, Amer Mohammed Rasheed, who is in
Cairo for a meeting of Arab oil producers, called the
extension a "political joke." He said Iraq cannot
conclude contracts to sell oil in only seven days.
The U-N humanitarian program is normally approved in
six-month cycles.
Iraq wants sanctions to be permanently lifted and has
often complained about the oil-for-food program.
/// Opt // It halted oil exports last month to
protest a U-N decision at that time to extend the oil-
for-food program for only two-weeks. /// End Opt ///
The U-N Security Council is divided over plans to
suspend sanctions against Iraq in exchange for Baghdad
allowing U-N weapons inspectors back into the country.
Weapons inspectors have not been allowed in Iraq since
U-S and British air raids a year ago.
/// Rest Opt for Long ///
Iraq says the short one and two-week extensions are
U-S and British tactics to pressure the United Nations
to adopt what Iraq calls a vicious British proposal
that would force Iraq to allow weapons inspectors to
return before the nine-year-old sanctions are lifted.
In New York, U-S officials predict the U-N Security
Council will reach an agreement next week on how to
re-start weapons inspections, and at the same time
improve humanitarian programs to help Iraqis cope with
life under the sanctions. (Signed)
NEB/RHE/DW/JP
04-Dec-1999 09:17 AM EDT (04-Dec-1999 1417 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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