DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243135
TITLE=YELTSIN/IRAQ  (S)
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS DENOUNCED THE AIR 
STRIKES ON IRAQ, AND CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE END TO MILITARY 
ACTION. V-0-A'S PETER HEINLEIN HAS DETAILS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT:  IN A STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE KREMLIN, MR. YELTSIN CALLS 
THE AIR STRIKES "UNPROVOKED" AND "A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF THE 
UNITED NATIONS CHARTER."  HE SAYS THE ACTION "EVOKES THE MOST 
SERIOUS CONCERN, AS WELL AS A FEELING OF DISMAY AND ALARM."

THE RUSSIAN LEADER'S STATEMENT EXPRESSED "INDIGNATION" THAT 
WASHINGTON AND LONDON HAD CHOSEN MILITARY ACTION AT A TIME WHEN 
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS DISCUSSING IRAQ.  HE CALLED FOR AN 
IMMEDIATE END TO THE AIR STRIKES.

RUSSIA HAS CONSISTNELY OPPOSED THE USE OF FORCE AGAINST ITS  
TRADITIONAL ALLY IRAQ.  HOURS BEFORE THE LATEST STRIKES BEGAN, 
FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAID CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR 
RICHARD BUTLER "GROSSLY EXCEEDED HIS AUTHORITY" IN PULLING HIS 
TEAM OUT OF BAGHDAD AFTER ACCUSING IRAQ OF OBSTRUCTING ITS WORK.

MR. IVANOV WAS REPORTED TO BE CUTTING SHORT A VISIT TO MADRID AND
FLYING BACK TO THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL THURSDAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/PFH/PLM

17-Dec-98 3:22 AM EST (0822 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.