DATE=11/5/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241226
TITLE=COHEN / IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN CONTINUES HIS TOUR OF
THE MIDDLE EAST, SEEKING SUPPORT FOR ACTION TO PRESSURE IRAQ INTO
COMPLYING WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  BUT AS RICHARD ENGEL 
REPORTS FROM CAIRO, IRAQ SAYS IT WILL  NOT  BACK DOWN --  NO  
MATTER WHAT THE COST.

TEXT:  SECRETARY COHEN'S STOPS ON THURSDAY ARE IN OMAN, THE 
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, AND EGYPT, BEFORE TALKS FRIDAY IN TURKEY.  
HE EARLIER WAS IN SAUDI ARABIA, KUWAIT, BAHRAIN, AND QATAR. 

ONE OF TOUR'S MAIN GOALS IS TO SEEK BACKING FOR A POSSIBLE 
MILITARY STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ.  HOWEVER, REPORTS OF HIS SUCCESS 
HAVE BEEN -- AT BEST -- MIXED. 

THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT IS CONFIDENT MR. COHEN 
OBTAINED THE GULF NATIONS' SUPPORT.  BUT OFFICIALS IN THE REGION 
SAY THE GULF STATES PREFER A PEACEFUL SOLUTION.  SAUDI ARABIA'S 
KING FAHD REPORTEDLY TOLD MR. COHEN HE DOES  NOT  WANT HIS 
COUNTRY TO BE A SPRINGBOARD FOR AN ATTACK AGAINST IRAQ.

IN IRAQ THURSDAY, NEWSPAPERS CONTINUED DEFIANT RHETORIC AGAINST 
THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED NATIONS.  THE OFFICIAL AL THOURA
NEWSPAPER SAID IRAQ WOULD  NOT  GO BACK ON SATURDAY'S DECISION TO
END COOPERATION WITH THE U-N INSPECTORS.  THE INFLUENTIAL BABEL 
NEWSPAPER CRITICIZED MR. COHEN'S TOUR OF THE REGION, CALLING IT A
FAILURE.  THE PAPER SAID -- IN ITS WORDS -- THIS IMPERIALIST 
MILITARY MIGHT WOULD  NOT  SCARE THE IRAQI PEOPLE, RATHER IT 
WOULD CONSOLIDATE THEIR RESISTANCE AND SHOW MORE ALLEGIANCE TO 
THEIR BRAVE LEADERSHIP.

IRAQ COMPLAINS THAT THE U-N INSPECTORS AND THEIR CHIEF, RICHARD 
BUTLER, ARE INSTRUCTED BY THE UNITED STATES TO PROLONG ECONOMIC 
AND TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.  IRAQ ALSO ACCUSES THE U-N 
INSPECTORS OF SPYING ON IRAQ.

MANY PEOPLE IN THE ARAB WORLD SYMPATHIZE WITH THE IRAQI PEOPLE 
WHO HAVE BEEN SUFFERING UNDER U-N TRADE SANCTIONS FOR SEVEN 
YEARS.  ARAB LEADERS HAVE URGED IRAQ TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN ITS 
DISPUTE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.  BUT ARAB LEADERS ALSO BELIEVE 
THAT THE SANCTIONS ON IRAQ SHOULD BE ENDED SOON.  (SIGNED) 

NEB/RHE/JWH

05-Nov-98 7:38 AM EST (1238 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.