DATE=12/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243241
TITLE=ARABS / IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  DEMONSTRATIONS WERE REPORTED IN SEVERAL CITIES AROUND THE
MIDDLE EAST TO PROTEST THE U-S AND BRITISH ATTACKS AGAINST IRAQ. 
RICHARD ENGEL IN CAIRO REPORTS THE DEMONSTRATORS SAY THEY VIEW 
THE ATTACKS AS AN ASSAULT AGAINST ARABS AND MUSLIMS, AND  NOT  
SADDAM HUSSEIN.

TEXT:  IN CAIRO, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PROTESTED AT THE AZHAR 
MOSQUE AFTER THE FRIDAY MID-DAY PRAYERS.  IT WAS THE SECOND DAY 
OF DEMONSTRATIONS IN CAIRO AGAINST THE ATTACKS ON IRAQ.

              ///  PROTEST SOUNDS - FADE UNDER ///

THE PROTESTERS CHANTED ISLAMIC SLOGANS AND DENOUNCED THE UNITED 
STATES AFTER EGYPT'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PREACHER, THE SHEIKH OF AL 
AZHAR, CALLED ON ALL MUSLIMS TO SUPPORT IRAQ.

SIMILAR PROTESTS TOOK PLACE FRIDAY IN OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES.  
ABOUT 15-THOUSAND PEOPLE DEMONSTRATED IN LEBANON.  PROTESTS ALSO 
WERE HELD IN YEMEN AND JORDAN. 

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SAID 
THE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION AND IS  
NOT  ACCEPTABLE.

KUWAIT, THE COUNTRY INVADED BY IRAQ IN 1990, SAID IT HAS NOTHING 
TO DO WITH THE CURRENT CRISIS.

IN KUWAIT AND OTHER U-S ALLIES LIKE EGYPT AND JORDAN, GOVERNMENTS
ARE COMING UNDER PRESSURE TO ADOPT A MORE ANTI-AMERICAN POSITION.
IN EGYPT AND JORDAN, SECURITY HAS BEEN DRAMATICALLY INCREASED TO 
KEEP PROTESTS PEACEFUL.  THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT HAS ORDERED 
SOME U-S EMBASSY PERSONNEL TO LEAVE KUWAIT.  (SIGNED) 

NEB/RHE/JWH/KL

18-Dec-98 10:28 AM EST (1528 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.