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DATE=10/03/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/PLANES (L-O)

NUMBER=2-267398

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A Moroccan aid plane has landed in Baghdad, making it the third Arab flight in a week to challenge U-N sanctions against Iraq. Dale Gavlak reports from Cairo that Morocco informed the U-N sanctions committee of its intention to send the aircraft.

TEXT: An Air Maroc plane carrying prominent politicians, lawmakers, food, and medical supplies is the latest flight arriving at Baghdad's Saddam International airport. It is part of what is seen to be a growing challenge to end the decade-old international embargo against Iraq imposed because of its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

The leader of the 35-member Moroccan delegation, Mohammed al-Khusami, said he hoped the flight would send what he called - a strong message to the U-N Security Council and Arab countries to end the sanctions. He added that other initiatives will follow.

A senior official of Iraq's ruling Baath party, Saad Qassem Hammoudi, received the Moroccan visitors at the airport. He said Baghdad viewed the latest flights as what he called - a step to break the sanctions, teaching America - and Britain - a lesson they will never forget.

Organizers of the flight admitted that they hoped it would have traveled on Sunday. But diplomats said the U-N Security Council's sanctions committee had approved the flight only yesterday.

Morocco has followed Yemen and Jordan in sending Arab planes to Baghdad in the hopes of resuming air transportation there. These flights were cleared by the United Nations. Baghdad says that Sudan, Egypt, and Syria are also planning flights to Iraq.

Only France and Russia have so far ignored U-N procedures when they allowed flights into Iraq last month without first gaining permission from the U-N sanctions committee.

Recently, Defense Secretary William Cohen said Iraq must not be allowed to continue mocking U-N resolutions. He added that Baghdad should be forced to accept international inspectors to monitor its weapons programs.

Both the U-S and Britain insist that sanctions on Iraq can only be lifted once it is cleared of any remaining weapons of mass destruction. (SIGNED)

NEB/DG/GE/RAE