DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243162
TITLE=ARABS / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  ARAB GOVERNMENTS HAVE CONDEMNED THE U-S AND BRITISH 
ATTACK AGAINST IRAQ.  AND, AS RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM CAIRO, 
THE 22-MEMBER ARAB LEAGUE HAS CALLED AN EMERGENCY MEETING TO 
DISCUSS THE CRISIS.

TEXT:  THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ARAB LEAGUE, ESMAT ABDEL 
MEGUID, CALLED THE ATTACK AN ACT OF AGGRESSION AGAINST AN ARAB 
COUNTRY THAT WAS TRYING TO IMPLEMENT AND COMPLY WITH U-N SECURITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.

OFFICIALS AT THE ARAB LEAGUE SAID THE ORGANIZATION WILL HOLD AN 
EMERGENCY MEETING AT THE REQUEST OF IRAQ THIS WEEKEND.

///  OPT  ///   THE EGYPTIAN NEWS AGENCY REPORTED MR. MEGUID IS 
SKEPTICAL OF A REPORT ISSUED BY U-N CHIEF ARMS INSPECTOR RICHARD 
BUTLER THAT PROMPTED THE ATTACK ON IRAQ.   ///  END OPT  ///

A SENIOR ARAB LEAGUE OFFICIAL TOLD V-O-A THAT MOST ARAB 
GOVERNMENTS EXPECTED THE ATTACK.  THE OFFICIAL, WHO ASKED NOT TO 
BE NAMED, SAID ARAB GOVERNMENTS UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNITED STATES
AND BRITAIN REFUSE TO REPEAT THE PATTERN OF PREVIOUS IRAQI CRISES
IN WHICH THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP BACKED DOWN IN THE LAST MINUTE.

BUT THE OFFICIAL SAID MILITARY ATTACKS WILL  NOT  SUCCEED IN 
INFLUENCING IRAQI POLICY AND WILL SEVERELY DAMAGE THE IMAGE OF 
THE UNITED STATES IN THE EYES OF MUSLIMS AND ARABS.

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE, THE WORLD'S LARGEST 
ISLAMIC BODY, ALSO STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE ATTACK.  THE 
FUNDAMENTALIST MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD GROUP SAID THE ATTACK PROVED, 
WHAT IT CALLS, AMERICAN ARROGANCE WHICH WILL ONLY BRING HATRED 
FROM ISLAMIC NATIONS. 

LEBANON'S GOVERNMENT ALSO CONDEMNED THE U-S LED MILITARY ACTION. 
LEBANON'S NEW PRIME MINISTER CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE END TO 
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.

OMAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER EXPRESSED DEEP SORROW OVER THE ATTACK.

EGYPT EXPRESSED ITS REGRET OVER THE USE OF FORCE AND IS 
ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN TO SEEK A PEACEFUL 
SOLUTION TO THE DISPUTE.

KUWAIT WAS MORE GUARDED, BUT DID EXPRESS HOPE THAT THE BOMBING 
CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAQ WOULD END.  (SIGNED) 

NEB/RHE/JWH/KL

17-Dec-98 9:00 AM EST (1400 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.