DATE=11/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241581
TITLE=RUSSIA / IRAQ (S ONLY) 
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER WILL FLY TO THE MIDEAST FRIDAY 
FOR TALKS ON THE IRAQI CRISIS.  CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN 
REPORTS ON A FLURRY OF DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT:  DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV'S FOUR-DAY TRIP WILL TAKE 
HIM TO DAMASCUS AND CAIRO IN WHAT IS BEING SEEN AS AN ATTEMPT TO 
MUSTER SUPPORT FOR RUSSIA'S OPPOSITION TO POSSIBLE AIR STRIKES 
AGAINST IRAQ.  THE INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY REPORTED MR. SERGEYEV 
ALSO WOULD DISCUSS WEAPONS SALES TO SYRIA AND EGYPT.

IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, DEPUTY RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VICTOR 
POSUVALYUK MET IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW THURSDAY.  A MINISTRY 
STATEMENT SAID THE TWO MEN CRITICIZED THE INCREASING THREAT OF A 
U-S LED STRIKE ON IRAQ.

RUSSIA HAS REPEATEDLY CALLED FOR EASING U-N ECONOMIC SANCTIONS 
AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN'S GOVERNMENT, BUT HAS PUBLICLY URGED THE 
IRAQI LEADER TO BACK AWAY FROM HIS REFUSAL TO COOPERATE WITH U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/PFH/JWH

12-Nov-98 12:21 PM EST (1721 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.