DATE=12/1/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-223475

TITLE=OIL-FOR-FOOD (L)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



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

SECURITY COUNCIL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF OIL IRAQ CAN SELL UNDER A

SPECIAL DEAL DESIGNED TO EASE THE IMPACT OF U-N SANCTIONS.  SEVEN

YEARS AFTER IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT PROMPTED A PUNITIVE 

ECONOMIC EMBARGO, U-N AGENCIES SAY IRAQ'S HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL 

STATUS -- ESPECIALLY AMONG CHILDREN -- IS POOR.  CORRESPONDENT 

ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.   



TEXT:  THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS THE CURRENT OIL-FOR-FOOD 

FORMULA ALLOWING TWO-BILLION DOLLARS OF OIL SALES OVER SIX MONTHS

IS NOT ADEQUATE.  HE ALSO REPORTS THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN 

GOODS TO IRAQ IS SLOW AND ERRATIC AND PROPOSES REVIEWING THE 

ENTIRE PROCESS.



BUT MR. ANNAN DOES NOT SAY HOW MUCH MORE OIL IRAQ WOULD NEED TO 

SELL TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS POPULATION.  HIS SPOKESMAN, 

FRED ECKHARD, SAYS THE DECISION MUST BE MADE BY THE SECURITY 

COUNCIL -- WHOSE MEMBERS MAY HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS:



                         //ECKHARD ACT//



         HE SAID THAT THEY MIGHT CONSIDER INCREASING THE AMOUNT 

         OF OIL.  HE SAID THAT THE PROCEDURE FOR FUNDING AND 

         DISTRIBUTION NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED UP.  THOSE ARE THE 

         TWO MAIN POINTS THAT HE MADE.  IT'S UP TO THE COUNCIL TO

         DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.  I DON'T THINK HIS 

         MENTIONING A FIGURE WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.



                           //END ACT//



UNDER THE PRESENT FORMULA, IRAQ CAN USE MORE THAN HALF OF THE OIL

MONEY TO BUY FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER ESSENTIAL GOODS.  ANOTHER 

PERCENTAGE GOES INTO A FUND FOR COMPENSATION CLAIMS RELATED TO 

ITS INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF KUWAIT.  THE REST PAYS FOR THE U-N

DISARMAMENT PROGRAMS INSIDE IRAQ.



AN OPTION AVAILABLE TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS TO KEEP THE OIL 

SALES AT TWO-BILLION DOLLARS, BUT PERMIT IRAQ TO USE MORE OF THE 

PROCEEDS FOR HUMANITARIAN PURCHASES.



COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ALREADY DISCUSSING THE ISSUE PRIVATELY -- AND

HAVE BEEN DOING SO EVEN BEFORE THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S 

ANTICIPATED RECOMMENDATIONS.  A DECISION IS EXPECTED BY FRIDAY.



IRAQ HAD STALLED ON THE OIL DEAL FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE IT WAS 

ADOPTED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL LAST DECEMBER.  BAGHDAD HELD OUT 

FOR A SOFTENING IN THE COUNCIL THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE COMPLETE 

LIFTING OF THE U-N TRADE EMBARGO.



BUT PROBLEMS THEN AND NOW WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS INSIDE 

IRAQ KEEP THE SANCTIONS IN PLACE.  SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS 

TIE THE EMBARGO TO IRAQI COMPLIANCE ON ELIMINATING ON ITS WEAPONS

OF MASS DESTRUCTION.



WHILE BAGHDAD BLAMES THE UNITED STATES FOR ITS ECONOMIC TROUBLES,

U-S OFFICIALS POINT THE FINGER AT IRAQ'S FAILURE TO COOPERATE 

FULLY ON DISARMAMENT. (SIGNED) 



NEB/EJ/RRM 







 



01-Dec-97 1:19 PM EST (1819 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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