DATE=  11/18/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-222889

TITLE=IRAQ SMUGGLING (S ONLY)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  AS DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY IS BEING STEPPED UP TO DEFUSE THE 

CRISIS WITH IRAQ OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS, THE UNITED NATIONS

IS TRYING TO PLUG HOLES IN AN ECONOMIC EMBARGO IMPOSED ON IRAQ 

AFTER IT INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990.  THE U-N SANCTIONS COMMITTEE, 

WHICH KEEPS A STEADY EYE ON THE PUNITIVE MEASURES, HEARD REPORTS 

TUESDAY THAT IRAQ IS SMUGGLING INCREASING QUANTITIES OF DIESEL 

OIL THROUGH IRANIAN WATERS.  V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE 

JOHANSON HAS MORE FROM NEW YORK:        



TEXT:   THE U-S LED INTERCEPTION FORCE THAT WATCHES FOR 

SANCTIONS-BUSTING IN THE GULF IS NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER IRAN'S 

TERRITORIAL WATERS.  THIS ALLOWS IRAN, IN EFFECT, TO PROVIDE SAFE

PASSAGE FOR SHIPS CARRYING ILLEGAL IRAQI CARGO.



THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SANCTIONS COMMITTEE -- PORTUGAL'S U-N 

AMBASSADOR -- SAYS HE WILL MAKE ANOTHER APPROACH TO IRAN'S U-N 

ENVOY.  IRAN HAS BEEN SPOKEN TO IN THE PAST ABOUT THE SMUGGLING. 

IRAN SAYS CONSISTENTLY THAT IT DOES NOT CONDONE IT.



IRAN PROFITS FROM THE SHIPPING --  EXPERTS SAY EVEN MORE THAN 

IRAQ, WHICH SELLS THE CONTRABAND DIESEL OIL FAR BELOW THE MARKET 

PRICE.



IRAQ WANTS THE EMBARGO LIFTED.  BUT THE SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS NOT

BEFORE BAGHDAD COOPERATES FULLY WITH U-N INSPECTIONS AIMED AT 

RIDDING THE COUNTRY OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. (SIGNED)







NEB/PT







 







18-Nov-97 7:25 PM EST (0025 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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