DATE=8/1/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236377
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (S/L)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO 
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   IRAQI GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND STATE-OWNED NEWSPAPERS 
SHARPLY CRITICIZED UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS SATURDAY.  
RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU THAT THE 
CRITICISM COMES JUST AS THOSE INSPECTORS ARE SCHEDULED TO VISIT 
BAGHDAD.

TEXT: THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE IRAQI ARMY LAUNCHED A FRESH 
ATTACK ON U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS AND THE MAN WHO HEADS THE TEAM, 
RICHARD BUTLER -- WHO IS SET TO ARRIVE IN IRAQ SUNDAY.   

THE NEWSPAPER AGAIN STRONGLY DENIED A U-N REPORT ISSUED IN JUNE 
CLAIMING THAT IRAQ HAD LOADED THE LETHAL V-X NERVE AGENT INTO  
MISSILE WARHEADS.   

THE IRAQI NEWSPAPER DISMISSED THE REPORT AS ANOTHER OF WHAT IT 
CALLED A "MALICIOUS, BIASED AND UNJUST TREND" THAT IS "AIMED AT 
WASTING IRAQ'S MILITARY, INDUSTRIAL, AND ECONOMIC POWER."   

IRAQ HAS OFTEN ACCUSED THE U-N INSPECTORS OF WANTING TO MAINTAIN 
THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990.

BEFORE THOSE SANCTIONS CAN BE LIFTED, THE U-N INSPECTORS MUST 
CERTIFY THAT IRAQ IS RID OF ALL ITS ILLEGAL CHEMICAL, NUCLEAR AND
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.   

                         //REST OPT//  

AT THE SAME TIME, IRAQI NEWSPAPERS SAY IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME 
MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ HAD COMPLAINED IN A LETTER TO U-N SECRETARY 
GENERAL KOFI ANNAN THAT THE UNITED STATES IS IMPEDING DOZENS OF 
CONTRACTS TO OBTAIN FOOD AND MEDICINE IN IRAQ'S OIL-FOR-FOOD 
AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.  

THE LETTER COMPLAINS THAT WHILE AMERICA PRETENDS TO LAMENT THE 
WORSENING IRAQI ECONOMY, IT DOES ITS UTMOST -- IN HIS WORDS -- TO
PUT MORE OBSTACLES BEFORE ANY BID TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF 
IRAQIS.

THE OIL-FOR-FOOD DEAL ALLOWS IRAQ TO SELL SOME FIVE BILLION 
DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL OVER SIX MONTHS, USING THE MONEY TO BUY FOOD
AND MEDICINE. (SIGNED) 

NEB/RHE/DW/JO

01-Aug-98 12:54 PM EDT (1654 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.