DATE=12/2/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-223524

TITLE= IRAQ FOREIGN MINISTER(L-ONLY) CQ

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



 ///// CORRECTS TO U-S INSPECTORS IN TEXT GRAF 6 OF CR2-223486 

                      FILED 12/1/97. /////



INTRO:  THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE 

SECURITY COUNCIL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF OIL THAT IRAQ CAN SELL 

UNDER THE SPECIAL FOOD-FOR-OIL DEAL.  BUT IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER

PUTS CONDITIONS ON ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM. WE HAVE MORE FROM 

V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN WASHINGTON.



TEXT:  AS IT NOW STANDS, THE OIL-FOR-FOOD DEAL ALLOWS IRAQ TO 

SELL UP TO TWO BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL  EVERY SIX MONTHS.  

PART OF THE REVENUE BUYS MUCH-NEEDED FOODS AND MEDICINES. U-N 

SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANAN SAYS THE SALES LIMIT SHOULD BE 

INCREASED AND THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN GOODS SPEEDED UP.



BUT IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMED SAEED AL-SAHAF TOLD V-O-A 

AMMAN CORRESPONDENT JUMANA TAMIMI THAT INCREASING SALES IS NOT 

THE ISSUE. 



                          //SAHAF ACT//



         INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WHILE THE PROCEUDRES OF 

         IMPLEMENTEATION OF THIS ARRANGEMENT IS STILL VERY SLOW 

         AND IRAQ IS NOT RECEIVING FROM PHASE TWO NOT EVEN FIVE 

         PERCENT OF ITS NEEDS, THEREFORE INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF

         MONEY JUST LIKE THAT BEFORE IMPROVING THE PROCUDURES OF 

         IMPLEMENTATION IS EXACTLY PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE 

         HORSE.



                           //END ACT//



IN THE PHONE INTERVIEW FROM BAGHDAD, MR AL-SAHAF SAYS IRAQ HAS 

PROPOSED CHANGING THE PROCEDURES FOR GETTING THE FOODS AND 

MEDICINES DELIVERED.  HE ALSO BLAMES THE UNITED STATES FOR 

HOLDING UP DISTRIBUTION OF THE SUPPLIES.



THE OIL-FOR-FOOD DEAL IS THE ONLY EASING OF THE SEVEN YEAR OLD 

SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.  SANCTIONS WON'T BE LIFTED COMPLETELY 

UNTIL U-N INSPECTORS CAN CERTIFY THAT IRAQ HAS SCRAPPED ITS 

ARSENALS OF TOXIC WEAPONS.  IRAQ CLAIMS IT HAS DONE SO.



IN THE LATEST CONFRONTATION WITH THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, IRAQ 

REFUSED TO LET AMERICAN INSPECTORS ENTER SENSITIVE FACILITIES. 

BAGHDAD THEN ORDERED ALL  U-S  INSPECTORS OUT OF IRAQ.



BAGHDAD LET THE INSPECTORS RETURN BUT HAS BARRED THEM FROM 

SEVERAL PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS.  AT THE SAME TIME, BAGHDAD 

INVITED 19 U-N MEMBER-STATES TO SEND THEIR OWN EXPERTS TO THE 

SITES BUT  NOT THE U-N INSPECTORS. 



CHIEF U-N INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER HEADS TO BAGHDAD NEXT WEEK TO 

TRY TO RESOLVE THE LATEST CRISIS.



FOREIGN MINISTER AL-SAHAF DEFENDS THE UNUSUAL INVITATION AS A 

RESPONSE TO WHAT HE CLAIMS IS UNFAIR U-S PRESSURE IN THE SECURITY

COUNCIL.



                      //AL SAHAF ACT TWO//



         ORIGINALLY ALL PRESIDENTIAL SITES ARE OFF LIMITS. THEY 

         ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE MISSION OF THE SPECIAL 

         COMMISSION. BUT BECAUSE OF THE FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF THE 

         UNITED STATES, WE FELT IT WAS PROPER TO COUNTER THEIR 

         ALLEGATIONS WITH A CANDID AND SINCERE INITIATIVE TO 

         UNCOVER THE BASELESS ALLEGATIONS OF THE AMERICANS.



                           //END ACT//



THE PROBLEM IS THE LONGER IRAQ RESTRICTS  U-N INSPECTIONS FOR 

WHATEVER REASON, THE LONGER IT WILL TAKE FOR THE U-N SECURITY 

COUNCIL TO CERTIFY THAT BAGHDAD HAS COMPLIED WITH U-N DEMANDS TO 

SCRAP ITS ARSENALS OF TOXIC WEAPONS.   SO SANCTIONS REMAIN IN 

PLACE UNTIL THEN WITH SPECIAL ALLOWANCES ONLY  FOR HUMANITARIAN 

SUPPLIES. (SIGNED)



NEB/LMK/WFR/RAE



02-Dec-97 9:41 AM EST (1441 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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