DATE=12/24/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-224503

TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / RUSSIAN PLANE (S - ONLY)

BYLINE=MAX RUSTON

DATELINE=NEW YORK

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID IT WILL PERMIT 

A RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT -- CARRYING MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND 23 MEMBERS OF

THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT -- TO FLY TO IRAQ, DESPITE SANCTIONS 

BARRING SUCH FLIGHTS.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.



TEXT:  THE U-N APPROVAL OPENS THE WAY FOR THE RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT, 

NOW HELD AT AN AIRPORT IN IRAN, TO DEPART FOR IRAQ, WITHOUT 

VIOLATING INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS.  THE FLIGHT WAS ORGANIZED BY 

RUSSIAN NATIONALIST VLADIMIR ZHIRINOVSKY TO SHOW HIS SOLIDARITY 

WITH IRAQ.  RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES SAY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL SUPPLIES 

AND NEARLY TWO DOZEN RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBERS ARE ON THE 

AIRCRAFT.



BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS STOPPED IN IRAN ON ITS WAY TO IRAQ FROM 

RUSSIA.  A UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN THANKED IRAN FOR REFUSING TO 

ALLOW THE FLIGHT PERMISSION TO CONTINUE UNTIL U-N APPROVAL WAS 

GRANTED.



THE UNITED NATIONS IMPOSED AN EMBARGO ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO

IRAQ IN 1990 AFTER IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT.  (SIGNED)



NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/MGB



24-Dec-97 12:51 PM EST (1751 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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