DATE=12/4/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-223670

TITLE=IRAQ FOOD OVERHAUL (L ONLY)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS THE SYSTEM FOR 

HUMANITARIAN DELIVERIES TO IRAQ WILL UNDERGO A COMPLETE REVIEW IN

THE COMING WEEKS TO MAKE SURE IT IS WORKING AS EFFICIENTLY AS 

POSSIBLE.  THE U-N LEADER IS EXPECTED TO SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS 

TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL BY THE END OF JANUARY.  CORRESPONDENT 

ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.



TEXT:  THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WANTS THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO WORK 

FASTER IN APPROVING CONTRACTS FOR HUMANITARIAN PURCHASES.  HE 

SAYS U-N OBSERVERS INSIDE IRAQ ARE THERE TO GUARANTEE ALL 

SUPPLIES ARE USED FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE. 



A RELATIVELY LARGE NUMBER OF CONTRACTS WERE PUT ON HOLD DURING 

THE PAST YEAR BECAUSE CERTAIN GOVERNMENTS, MAINLY THE UNITED 

STATES, FEARED IRAQ WOULD DIVERT SOME ITEMS TO MILITARY USE.



THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS ORDERED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE 

ENTIRE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROCESS -- A SYSTEM PERMITTING LIMITED OIL 

SALES TO RAISE CASH FOR FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER ESSENTIALS 

DESIGNED TO EASE THE IMPACT OF A SEVEN-YEAR OLD TRADE EMBARGO.  

THE U-N STUDY COULD LEAD TO A BIGGER LIST OF ITEMS IRAQ WOULD BE 

ABLE TO BUY -- INCLUDING WATER PURIFICATION EQUIPMENT AND COLD 

STORAGE FACILITIES.  U-N OFFICIALS REPORT IRAQ'S DETERIORATING 

INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT ADEQUATE AND UNDERMINES THE HUMANITARIAN 

EFFORT.



MR. ANNAN HAS ALREADY SUGGESTED THE SECURITY COUNCIL RAISE THE 

CEILING OF OIL SALES -- NOW RESTRICTED TO TWO-BILLION DOLLARS 

DURING SIX-MONTHS.  BUT HE SAYS IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO DO IT 

BEFORE THE REVIEW IS COMPLETE.



                          //ANNAN ACT//



         I INDICATED I DID NOT THINK THE CURRENT RESOURCES WERE 

         SUFFICIENT.  BUT IT DID NOT HELP TO TAKE A PIECEMEAL 

         APPROACH  AND THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM.  WE NEED TO 

         ANALYZE IT AND MOVE FORWARD AGGRESSIVELY AND 

         COMPREHENSIVELY TO DEAL WITH IT.



                           //END ACT//



RUSSIA AND FRANCE HAVE SIGNALED THEY ARE READY TO INCREASE IRAQ'S

OIL SALES, EVEN DOUBLE THEM.  BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S RECOMMENDATIONS COME IN EARLY NEXT YEAR.



SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN SAYS IRAQ KNOWS THE OIL BAN IMPOSED AFTER

THE 1990 INVASION OF KUWAIT CAN BE LIFTED COMPLETELY IF IT 

COOPERATES FULLY WITH U-N ARMS INSPECTIONS.  THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 

SPECIAL COMMISSION DISARMING IRAQ -- RICHARD BUTLER -- IS GOING 

TO BAGHDAD DECEMBER 13TH TO INSIST ON ACCESS TO ALL SUSPECTED 

WEAPONS FACILITIES.



                        /// REST OPT ///



MR. ANNAN SAYS HE HOPES THOSE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE FRANK AND 

FRUITFUL.



                        /// ANNAN ACT ///



         I KNOW WE'VE HAD A TENSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE IRAQIS 

         OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.  BUT THE ISSUE IS 

         IMPORTANT.  THE IRAQIS, AS THEY SAY, WOULD WANT TO SEE 

         LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET 

         THAT DONE IS TO COOPERATE FULLY WITH UNSCOM.



                         /// END ACT ///



IRAQ HAS DECLARED CERTAIN SITES OFF-LIMITS -- INCLUDING THOSE 

THAT HOUSE THE PRESIDENTIAL GUARD AND IRAQI INTELLIGENCE.



MEANWHILE, U-N AGENCIES CONTINUE TO REPORT IRAQI CHILDREN ARE 

SEVERELY UNDER-NOURISHED AND HOSPITALS TOO UNDER-SUPPLIED TO GIVE

PROPER CARE.  IRAQ HAS RECEIVED OVER 

TWO-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION-TONS OF FOOD SINCE THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PLAN

WAS STARTED LAST DECEMBER.  MONITORS ON THE GROUND SAY THE PACE 

OF HUMANITARIAN DELIVERIES HAS INCREASED RECENTLY, ESPECIALLY 

MEDICAL GOODS.   (SIGNED)



NEB/RAE



04-Dec-97 2:15 PM EST (1915 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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