DATE=2/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227202
TITLE=IRAQ / ARAB REACT (S)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=AMMAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FAVORABLE COMMENTS ABOUT THE U-N 
AGREEMENT WITH BAGHDAD HAS HELPED REDUCE TENSIONS IN THE MIDDLE 
EAST.  BUT HIS WARNINGS OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF THE ACCORD IS 
NOT  RESPECTED TEMPERS ANY DECLARATIONS OF VICTORY COMING FROM 
BAGHDAD.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM AMMAN, 
JORDAN.

TEXT:  MOST ARAB COMMENTARIES STILL REMAIN CRITICAL OF U-S POLICY
TOWARD IRAQ AND ITS MILITARY BUILD-UP IN THE GULF AS PRESSURE ON 
BAGHDAD TO COMPLY WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  

SYRIA'S STATE-RUN NEWSPAPER, FOR ONE, CALLS ON WASHINGTON TO 
ABANDON ITS MILITARY OPTION.

ONE JORDANIAN NEWSPAPER SUGGESTS THAT WASHINGTON CAN CLAIM 
SUCCESS FOR ITS TOUGH STAND BUT MUST ALSO ACCEPT THE LEGITIMACY 
OF THE AGREEMENT SIGNED BY U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IN 
BAGHDAD.

IRAQ IS CELEBRATING WHAT IT CLAIMS AS A VICTORY.  BUT THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING ANOTHER RESOLUTION TO ENFORCE THE
AGREEMENT.  AND, PRESIDENT CLINTON IS LEAVING U-S TROOPS IN THE 
GULF TO BACK UP HIS WARNINGS OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF BAGHDAD 
AGAIN TRIES TO PUT OBSTACLES IN THE WAY OF THE U-N INSPECTIONS.

BUT ANALYSTS IN JORDAN SAY THE CRISIS HAS LET IRAQ GET ITS 
GRIEVANCES BACK ON THE WORLD AGENDA AND HAS RENEWED SOME HOPE 
AMONG IRAQIS OF AN EVENTUAL END TO THE SANCTIONS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/LK/JWH

24-Feb-98 7:01 AM EST (1201 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.