DATE=2/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227143
TITLE=RUSSIA / IRAQ  (S)
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS EXPRESSED  
SATISFACTION WITH THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED 
NATIONS. V-O-A'S PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT:  MR. YELTSIN SAID HE IS CONFIDENT THE IRAQ CRISIS IS OVER. 

          ///  YELTSIN ACT - RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  ///

HE SAID, "THE QUESTION IS PRACTICALLY RESOLVED.  SADDAM HUSSEIN 
HAS GIVEN HIS WORD."

SPEAKING AT A KREMLIN WAR MEMORIAL WHERE HE LAID A WREATH TO MARK
A MILITARY HOLIDAY, THE RUSSIAN LEADER SAID HE HAD OPPOSED  
MILITARY ACTION BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE SPREAD BEYOND IRAQ'S 
BORDERS.

RUSSIA WAS AN EARLY SUPPORTER OF A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE 
IRAQ CRISIS, KEEPING A SPECIAL ENVOY IN BAGHDAD TO KEEP 
NEGOTIATING LINES OPEN.  A FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN MONDAY 
NOTED MR. YELTSIN HAD BEEN AMONG THE FIRST TO PUSH FOR A VISIT BY
U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO THE IRAQI CAPITAL.  (SIGNED)

NEB/PFH/JWH

23-Feb-98 5:14 AM EST (1014 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.