Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/27/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=UN / IRAQ (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-301417

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

VOICED AT:

INTRO: At the United Nations, despite overwhelming Security Council support for resuming the oil-for-food program, the U-S proposal to modify the program is drawing opposition. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports from the United Nations the U-S ambassador at one point in the debate walked out.

TEXT: Political differences appear to be undermining efforts to give U-NSecretary General Kofi Annan administrative control of the oil-for-food program.

Permanent member Russia, which has veto power in the council, is voicing opposition. Speaking through a translator, Russia's Ambassador Sergey Lavrov told the council that his country will continue to oppose what he called attempts to "legitimize the use of force against Iraq or to shift responsibility" for the Iraqi people to the United Nations programs.

/ / / LAVROV ACT / / /

We will not support the proposal that the mechanism for the humanitarian program be restructured because of this military scenario, adjusted to the military scenario. That is not a technical matter. While humanitarian issues are important, there is no more urgent job now than trying to halt the war and returning to the path of a political settlement within the path of the Security Council.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Council member Syria expressed similar opposition to any immediate U-S and British control of the U-N program on the ground.

Opponents of the war, including permanent members France and China support the proposal by Britain, the United States and the Secretary General, to resume oil-for-food.

The program currently has contracted nearly nine-billion dollars of food and supplies for delivery to the Iraqi people. The program, the sole source of food for 60 percent of Iraqis, was suspended prior to the fighting.

Another opponent of the war, Germany, is overseeing the effort to draft a Security Council resolution on the issue.

U-S Ambassador to the United Nations John Negroponte urged the council to reach an agreement on a resolution soon.

/ / / NEGROPONTE ACT / / /

We trust that other members of the council share the objective of resuming the flow of humanitarian goods through the oil for food program as soon as possible. Progress on this resolution must accelerate, putting political debating points aside if we are to minimize any interruption of the program. There would be serious humanitarian implications for the people of Iraq if the council fails to do so.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Mr. Negroponte walked out of the council chamber when the Iraqi ambassador, Mohammed Aldouri, accused the U-S led coalition of trying to exterminate the Iraqi people.

Mr. Aldouri also called on the United Nations to adopt a resolution condemning and halting the war in Iraq.

/ / / REST OPT / / /

The majority of speakers in the two-day open session, requested by the Arab League and the Non-Aligned Movement, were critical of the war in Iraq, calling it a violation of international law and the United Nations charter.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who concluded his meetings with President Bush at Camp David, is holding talks with U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan (Thursday). Mr. Blair is pressing for a leading United Nations role in the after Saddam Hussein era in Iraq. (Signed)

NEB/JB/BJS/PT/MAR