DATE=11/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241682
TITLE=RUSSIA-IRAQ (S)
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: RUSSIA HAS HAILED THE IRAQI CLIMBDOWN OVER U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTIONS AS A VICTORY FOR DIPLOMACY. V-O-A'S PETER HEINLEIN 
HAS DETAILS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: RUSSIA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER VIKTOR POSUVALYUK 
DESCRIBES IRAQ'S AGREEMENT TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTORS AS AN IMPORTANT STEP THAT ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR 
MILITARY FORCE. 

MR. POSUVALYUK --  WHO HELPED MEDIATE BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS 
AND IRAQ DURING AN EARLIER CONFRONTATION  -- SAID RUSSIAN 
DIPLOMACY WAS A DECISIVE FACTOR IN PERSUADING IRAQI PRESIDENT 
SADDAM HUSSEIN TO BACK AWAY FROM A SHOWDOWN OVER INSPECTIONS.

THURSDAY, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SENT A MESSAGE TO THE 
IRAQI LEADER URGING HIM TO BACK DOWN.  MR. YELTSIN ALSO SENT A 
LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON CALLING FOR RESTRAINT IN THE USE OF 
MILITARY FORCE.

IRAQ'S U-N AMBASSADOR NIZAR HAMDUN SATURDAY NOTED THE RUSSIAN 
LEADER'S ROLE IN WHAT HE CALLED TRYING TO REACH OUT TO A 
SITUATION WHERE IRAQ'S POINT-OF-VIEW GETS PROMOTED. (SIGNED).

NEB/PH/TMD-T/SD

14-Nov-98 4:47 PM EST (2147 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.