DATE=9/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238182
TITLE=U-N/IRAQ OIL-FOR-FOOD (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS IS TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE PACE OF 
ITS IRAQI OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM, UNDER WHICH IRAQ IS ALLOWED TO 
EXPORT LIMITED QUANTITIES OF OIL IN RETURN FOR HUMANITARIAN 
SUPPLIES.  U-S OFFICIALS SAY IRAQ IS TO BLAME FOR THE PROGRAM'S 
FAILURE TO MEET ITS TARGETS.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE
UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT:  THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS' IRAQ 
PROGRAM, BENON SAVAN, SAYS THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM IS HAVING A 
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON IRAQ'S HUMANITARIAN SITUATION.  BUT HE SAYS
IT IS ALSO RAISING CONCERNS AT THE UNITED NATIONS BECAUSE OF ITS 
FAILURE TO MEET FUNDING TARGETS.

MR. SAVAN SAYS THAT DURING THE CURRENT 180 DAY PERIOD, APPROVED 
OIL EXPORTS WILL GENERATE AN ESTIMATED ONE-POINT-EIGHT BILLION 
DOLLARS IN FUNDING FOR HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES - LESS THAN 60 
PERCENT OF THE TARGETED AMOUNT.  HE BLAMES THE SHORTFALL ON LOW 
OIL PRICES AND THE POOR CONDITION OF IRAQ'S OIL PRODUCTION 
EQUIPMENT.

MR. SAVAN GAVE THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL A BRIEFING ON THE STATUS 
OF THE PROGRAM (FRIDAY), AFTER WHICH U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED
NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON BLAMED IRAQ FOR MANY OF THE PROBLEMS.

                     /// RICHARDSON ACT ///

         THE PROBLEM WITH THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM HAS NOT 
         CHANGED ... IRAQ REFUSES TO MANAGE THE PROGRAM 
         EFFICIENTLY IN MANY INSTANCES AND DOES NOT COOPERATE 
         WITH THE U-N OIL-FOR-FOOD ADMINISTRATORS AND CONTINUES 
         TO USE THE HUMANITARIAN ISSUE AS A POLITICAL WEAPON.

                         /// END ACT ///

IRAQ BLAMES THE UNITED STATES AND THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL FOR 
ITS FAILURE TO MEET TARGETS SET UNDER THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM.  
EARLIER THIS YEAR THE SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVED AN ARRANGEMENT 
THAT WOULD ALLOW IRAQ TO USE SOME FUNDS TO UPGRADE ITS OIL 
PROCESSING EQUIPMENT.  IRAQ SAYS THE COUNCIL IS NOW MOVING TOO 
SLOWLY IN APPROVING EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THOSE UPGRADES.

IRAQ'S RELATIONS WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAVE BEEN STRAINED 
SINCE EARLY AUGUST, WHEN IRAQ SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH THE U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM, UNSCOM.  IRAQ SAYS THE INSPECTION 
PROCESS IS BEING UNFAIRLY PROLONGED, THEREBY DELAYING ANY CHANCE 
FOR AN EARLY LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR.

UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER REJECTS THAT CHARGE, SAYING IRAQ IS 
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  
HE SAYS IRAQ IS CONTINUING TO OBSTRUCT UNSCOM'S WORK BY HIDING 
AND WITHHOLDING IMPORTANT INFORMATION.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/BA/PLM

04-Sep-98 2:49 PM EDT (1849 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.