DATE=11/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242084
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N TUESDAY (L/S VER)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 


INTRO: IN IRAQ, THE NEWS MEDIA HAVE REACTED STRONGLY TO THE 
MEETING IN LONDON THIS WEEK OF MORE THAN ONE DOZEN IRAQI 
OPPOSITION GROUPS.  CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR 
MIDDLE EAST BUREAU THAT THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN ALSO CONTINUES AGAINST
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS -- THIS, AS THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL 
PREPARES (TUESDAY) TO EXAMINE IRAQ'S CLAIM THAT IT HAS TURNED 
OVER ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS CONCERNING ITS WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION.

TEXT: NEWSPAPERS IN BAGHDAD TUESDAY CONDEMNED THE 
BRITISH-SPONSORED MEETING OF IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS IN LONDON. 
EDITORIALS SAID EFFORTS TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ COULD
DESTABILIZE THE ENTIRE MIDDLE EAST.

THE "AL-JUMHURIYA" NEWSPAPER CALLED THE POLICY NAIVE AND RECKLESS
AND QUESTIONED ITS MORALITY. MANY NEWSPAPERS CALLED ON ARAB 
NATIONS TO HELP THWART THE PLANS.

///OPT./// THE CALLS FOLLOW AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE OFFICIAL IRAQI
NEWS AGENCY OF AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF 
THE RULING REVOLUTIONARY COMMAND COUNCIL, IZZAT IBRAHIM, IN THE 
SOUTHERN CITY OF KARBALA. THE OFFICIAL ESCAPED UNHURT, BUT 
SEVERAL BODYGUARDS WERE REPORTEDLY WOUNDED IN THE ATTACK. ///END 
OPT.///

MEANWHILE, IRAQI OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO CRITICIZE U-N CHIEF 
WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER FOR DEMANDING A NUMBER OF 
DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE IRAQI DISARMAMENT PROCESS. IRAQ SAYS THE
DOCUMENTS ARE EITHER IRRELEVANT OR NONEXISTENT.

///REST OPT.///

DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER RIYADH AL-QUAISI SAID THIS IS BEING USED 
AS A PRETEXT TO MAINTAIN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.

                      ///AL-QUAISI ACT./// 

         THE STAGE IS SET FOR A WAY WHICH WILL TAKE US TO THE END
         OF THE TUNNEL. AND WHAT DO WE SEE? NO LIGHT AT THE END 
         OF THE TUNNEL.

                          ///END ACT.///

IRAQI NEWSPAPERS HAVE ACCUSED MR. BUTLER OF SEEKING THE DOCUMENTS
IN ORDER TO PROVOKE AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ. U-S AND BRITISH 
OFFICIALS SAY THE INSPECTORS ARE  NOT  RECEIVING THE FULL 
COOPERATION PROMISED, BUT THAT THE LATEST DISPUTE IS  NOT  
SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT MILITARY ACTION. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/PCF

24-Nov-98 9:37 AM EST (1437 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.