DATE=11/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241644
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ FOOD (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IMPORTS INTO IRAQ OF FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER 
HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO A VIRTUAL HALT 
(FRIDAY), AMID GROWING THREATS OF MILITARY ACTION AGAINST 
BAGHDAD.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED 
NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT:  MOST HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES DESTINED FOR IRAQ HAVE BEEN 
SENT THERE UNDER A COMPLICATED U-N ARRANGEMENT CALLED THE 
"OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM."  U-N OFFICIALS SAY A KEY ELEMENT IN THAT 
PROGRAM HAS NOW BEEN WITHDRAWN, BRINGING IMPORTS OF HUMANITARIAN 
SUPPLIES TO IRAQ TO A VIRTUAL HALT.

WHAT WAS WITHDRAWN WERE THE SERVICES OF A PRIVATE BRITISH FIRM 
WHICH WAS SUPPLYING 54 INSPECTORS TO THE PROGRAM.  THE INSPECTORS
WERE ASSIGNED TO IRAQI BORDER CROSSINGS, WHERE THEY MONITORED 
HUMANITARIAN IMPORTS.  U-N OFFICIALS SAY NO PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE 
TO THE SUPPLIERS OF THE IMPORTS WITHOUT CERTIFICATION FROM THE 
INSPECTORS.

U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD:

                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///

         THIS DECISION WAS TAKEN, WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION, BY 
         LLOYDS REGISTER, A UNITED KINGDOM COMPANY, WHICH IS 
         CONTRACTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS TO PROVIDE INSPECTION 
         AND AUTHENTICATION SERVICES AT THE UMM QASR PORT AND THE
         TREBIL BORDER CROSSING WITH JORDAN.  ALSO THE AL-WALEED 
         BORDER CROSSING WITH SYRIA AND THE ZAKHO BORDER CROSSING
         WITH TURKEY.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE DIRECTOR OF THE U-N OFFICE OVERSEEING THE OIL-FOR-FOOD 
PROGRAM, BENAN SEVAN, SAYS HE WAS INFORMED OF THE DEVELOPMENT BY 
TELEPHONE EARLY FRIDAY.  U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE BRITISH FIRM DID 
NOT PROVIDE ANY REASON FOR THE WITHDRAWAL.  BUT THE DECISION IS 
BELIEVED BE TIED TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF INSPECTORS IF 
PUNITIVE MILITARY STRIKES ARE CARRIED OUT AGAINST IRAQ.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

13-Nov-98 2:34 PM EST (1934 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.