DATE=2/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227217
TITLE=IRAQ AGREEMENT REACTION (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=BAGHDAD, IRAQ
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PEOPLE IN THE IRAQI CAPITAL, BAGHDAD ARE EXPRESSING 
RELIEF TODAY AND AMID SIGNS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS  NO  LONGER
PLANNING AN IMMEDIATE MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST THE COUNTRY.  
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM BAGHDAD.

TEXT:  THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WAS NEVER FRIGHTENED BY WHAT 
IT DESCRIBES AS "SABOR-RATTLING" BY THE UNITED STATES.  A 
REFERENCE TO U-S THREATS TO ATTACK THE COUNTRY IF U-N INSPECTORS 
WERE  NOT  GIVEN UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE SUSPECTED WEAPON 
SITES. 

NOW THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS ACHIEVED A GREAT VICTORY IN 
REACHING AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS TO RESUME THOSE 
INSPECTIONS.  ORDINARY IRAQIS IN THE CAPITAL BAGHDAD, SAY THEY 
FEEL EXTREMELY RELIEVED THAT THE THREAT OF IMMEDIATE ATTACK 
APPEARS TO HAVE DIMINISHED. 

THE PROPRIETOR OF A SMALL SHOP IN THE CITY CENTER SAYS ATTACKS AT
THIS TIME WOULD HAVE CAUSED GREAT HARDSHIP, AND HE SAYS HE 
BELIEVES THE POSSIBILITY OF CONFRONTATION WILL REMAIN UNTIL THE 
UNITED NATIONS AND THE UNITED STATES STOP INVOLVING THEMSELVES IN
IRAQ'S AFFAIRS.

THE THREAT OF MILITARY ATTACK WAS AT ITS PEAK LAST WEEK, JUST 
BEFORE THE VISIT TO BAGHDAD BY U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN. 
AT THAT TIME THERE WERE FEW OUTWARD SIGNS OF CONCERN. BUSINESSES 
REMAINED OPEN AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF NEW MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS
IN THE CITY. 

BUT SOURCES WITH CLOSE TIES TO THE GOVERNMENT SAY BEHIND THAT 
FACADE, A GREAT DEAL OF PREPARATION FOR CONFLICT WAS CARRIED OUT.
IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN INCREASED THE SECRECY SURROUNDING 
HIS DAILY WHEREABOUTS.  ACCORDING TO SOME REPORTS HE HAS A POLICY
OF SLEEPING IN A DIFFERENT HOME EACH NIGHT TO AVOID THE RISK OF 
BECOMING A TARGET FOR BOMBING.

IN AT LEAST ONE OF HIS RESIDENCES, A PALACE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF 
BAGHDAD, NEARLY ALL FURNITURE WAS RECENTLY REMOVED TO ENSURE IT 
WOULD  NOT  BE DESTROYED IF THE PALACE WAS BOMBED.

THE FOREIGN COMMUNITY OF IRAQ IS ALSO EXPRESSING RELIEF AT THE 
APPARENT RESOLUTION OF THE LATEST CRISIS.  SEVERAL DOZEN UNITED 
NATION'S EMPLOYEES LEFT THE COUNTRY LAST WEEK AMID CONCERNS OVER 
THE THREAT OF AIR ATTACKS.  THEY ARE NOW PLANNING TO RETURN TO 
THEIR JOBS IN THE IRAQI CAPITAL. 

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TENSION TO 
REMAIN WHILE THE FIRST STEPS IN THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAQ AND 
THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL ARE CARRIED OUT.  THEY SAY THERE IS AN 
UNDERLYING FEAR IN THE CITY AMONG IRAQI AND FOREIGNERS ALIKE, 
THAT TENSIONS COULD ESCALATE RAPIDLY ONCE AGAIN IF ANY OF THE 
PARTIES INVOLVED LOSE CONFIDENCE THAT THE AGREEMENT WILL BE FULLY
IMPLEMENTED. (SIGNED)

NEB/MR/TMD-T/KL

24-Feb-98 11:09 AM EST (1609 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.