DATE=12/4/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-223688

TITLE=IRAQ OIL VOTE (L)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL THURSDAY UNANIMOUSLY RENEWED A 

DEAL ALLOWING IRAQ TO SELL LIMITED QUANTITIES OF OIL TO RAISE 

CASH TO BUY HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES TO EASE THE EFFECTS OF U-N 

SANCTIONS.  BUT THE COUNCIL ALSO PUT OFF DECIDING WHETHER IRAQ 

NEEDS TO SELL EVEN MORE THAN THE CURRENT TWO-BILLION-DOLLAR LIMIT

OVER SIX MONTHS.  CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.



TEXT:  RUSSIAN AND FRENCH PRESSURE NOTWITHSTANDING -- THE 

SECURITY COUNCIL DECIDED TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO ON IRAQI OIL 

SALES.  BUT IT EXPRESSED ITS WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER RAISING THE 

EXPORT CEILING AFTER A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE OIL-FOR-FOOD 

PROGRAM THAT STARTED LAST DECEMBER.



SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS PLANNING TO COMPLETE THAT STUDY 

NEXT MONTH AND PROMPTLY SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL 

AIMED AT MAKING THE PROGRAM MORE EFFICIENT.  THE AIM IS TO GET 

FOOD AND MEDICINE TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE MORE QUICKLY.  MR. ANNAN 

HAS ALREADY SAID HE BELIEVES THE OIL LIMIT NOW IN PLACE IS NOT 

ADEQUATE.



IRAQ HAS ACCUSED THE UNITED STATES OF HOLDING UP CONTRACTS FOR 

HUMANITARIAN PURCHASES THAT THE U-N SANCTIONS COMMITTEE MUST 

APPROVE. 



THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- IN HIS LATEST REPORT -- ALSO NOTES THE 

DELAY IN COMMITTEE.   AT THE SAME TIME, HE HAS TRIED TO REASSURE 

MEMBERS THAT U-N MONITORS INSIDE IRAQ WILL MAKE SURE NONE OF THE 

SUPPLIES WILL BE DIVERTED FOR MILITARY USE.



BUT SUSPICIONS RUN DEEP BETWEEN BAGHDAD AND WASHINGTON.   U-S 

AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON ACCUSED IRAQ OF PLAYING POLITICS WITH 

THE U-N PROGRAM, EVEN WITHHOLDING FOOD RATIONS FROM ITS CITIZENS 

WHILE IT CAMPAIGNS FOR A TOTAL LIFTING OF THE OIL BAN.  AFTER THE

COUNCIL VOTE, AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON SAID IRAQ'S MOTIVES ARE 

TRANSPARENT:



                       //RICHARDSON ACT//



         THEY SHOULD STOP BLACKMAILING THE SECURITY COUNCIL INTO 

         CHANGING THE PROGRAM TO SUIT THEIR POLITICAL NEEDS, TO 

         BUILD THEIR PALACES.  THEY SHOULD CARE ABOUT THEIR OWN 

         PEOPLE.  THE MESSAGE HERE THAT WAS TAKEN BY THE UNITED 

         NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS HUMANITARIAN ISSUES SHOULD 

         BE SEPARATED FROM POLITICAL ISSUES.



                           //END ACT//



IRAQ MAY WELL GET ITS EXPORT INCREASE IN DUE TIME.  RUSSIA WAS 

MOST EMPHATIC ABOUT IT.  EVEN THE U-S AMBASSADOR SAID WASHINGTON 

WOULD CONSIDER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PROGRAM TO ENHANCE ITS 

HUMANITARIAN VALUE.  U-N AGENCIES ARE REPORTING GROWING HEALTH 

PROBLEMS IN IRAQ, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE CHILDREN.



BUT THE END OF THE OIL BAN --  PART OF THE  ECONOMIC EMBARGO 

IMPOSED AFTER IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990 -- IS LINKED TO 

PROGRESS ON RIDDING IRAQ OF ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  

IRAQ WILL BE SUBJECTED TO EXPORT LIMITS FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES 

FOR U-N ARMS INSPECTORS TO CERTIFY BAGHDAD NO LONGER POSES A 

THREAT.  (SIGNED)



NEB/EJ/RRM  



04-Dec-97 6:54 PM EST (2354 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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