DATE=12/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243301
TITLE=IRAQ STRIKES / ARAB REACT (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=AMMAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: U-S AND BRITISH LEADERS SATURDAY TRIED TO ASSURE THE ARAB 
WORLD THAT THE AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ ARE AIMED AT CONTAINING 
THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT AND PRESERVING SECURITY IN THE REGION.  BUT 
THEIR WORDS FAILED TO CALM RISING ANGER OVER THE ATTACKS, IN 
WHICH AT LEAST 68 PEOPLE HAVE REPORTEDLY BEEN KILLED.  V-O-A 
MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM AMMAN.
 
TEXT: PROTESTS ERUPTED SATURDAY IN SEVERAL ARAB NATIONS OVER THE 
CONTINUING U-S AND BRITISH ATTACKS ON IRAQ.
 
IN SYRIA, THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS STORMED THE U-S EMBASSY IN 
DAMASCUS AND, DESPITE THE USE OF TEAR GAS BY EMBASSY GUARDS, 
MANAGED TO TEAR DOWN AND BURN THE AMERICAN FLAG. THE PROTESTERS 
ALSO SACKED THE AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER AND THE U-S AMBASSADOR'S
RESIDENCE.  THE AMBASSADOR'S WIFE, WHO WAS AT THE RESIDENCE, WAS 
EVACUATED UNHARMED.
 
THE GROUP ALSO THREW STONES AT THE BRITISH COUNCIL.  THE CROWDS 
WERE DISPERSED BY SYRIAN POLICE TOWARD THE END OF THE DAY.  
ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION WAS REPORTEDLY HELD IN THE PROVINCIAL CITY 
OF ALEPPO.
 
THESE WERE THE FIRST PRO-IRAQI DEMONSTRATIONS IN DECADES IN SYRIA
AND WERE CONSIDERED UNUSUAL.  SYRIA BROKE RELATIONS WITH IRAQ 
DURING THE THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR, BUT SYRIA WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ARAB
GOVERNMENTS THIS WEEK TO CONDEMN THE ATTACKS.
 
IN EGYPT, SEVERAL THOUSAND PROTESTERS GATHERED AT A MAJOR 
UNIVERSITY AND BURNED U-S FLAGS.  THEY CHANTED SLOGANS AGAINST 
PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE U-S GOVERNMENT, BEFORE DISPERSING 
PEACEFULLY.  EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK ISSUED A STATEMENT 
CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO THE AIR STRIKES.
 
IN JORDAN, ABOUT ONE THOUSAND STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED AT THE MAIN 
UNIVERSITY BUT WERE KEPT ON THE CAMPUS BY RIOT POLICE.  STUDENT 
AND POLITICAL OPPOSITION LEADERS SAID THEY ARE PLANNING A MAJOR 
DEMONSTRATION SUNDAY, IN DEFIANCE OF GOVERNMENT ORDERS IN PLACE 
SINCE CLASHES LAST FEBRUARY OVER THE THREAT OF AIR STRIKES 
AGAINST IRAQ.
 
///REST OPT./// THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIANS IN THE WEST BANK DEFIED
THEIR LEADERSHIP AND DEMONSTRATED SATURDAY.  SCORES WERE INJURED 
IN CLASHES WITH POLICE. OTHER DEMONSTRATIONS WERE HELD IN ASIA, 
EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES.
 
A POLITICAL ANALYST IN JORDAN, RADWAN ABDULLAH, SAID THE FEELING 
OF ANGER AND DESPAIR IN THE REGION IS STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE, 
BECAUSE THERE IS A FEELING THAT THE IRAQI PEOPLE HAVE BEEN 
SUFFERING FOR TOO LONG A TIME AND THAT THEY ARE THE VICTIMS OF 
BOTH THE IRAQI REGIME AND THE WEST.
 

                      ///ABDULLAH ACT./// 

         PEOPLE ARE EXTREMELY SYMPATHETIC TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE AND
         UPSET THAT ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE REALLY BEING VICTIMIZED. 
         I THINK THAT PEOPLE THIS TIME DON'T THINK THAT THERE WAS
         REALLY A VALID PRETEXT OR REASON FOR THE MILITARY 
         ACTION. 

                                 ///END ACT.///
 
PROFESSOR ABDULLAH SAID PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE IRAQ STILL POSES A 
THREAT TO ANYONE AND ITS MILITARY STRENGTH HAS BEEN EXAGGERATED. 
HE UNDERSCORES THAT HE BELIEVES POPULAR SYMPATHY IS WITH THE 
IRAQI PEOPLE AND NOT THE IRAQI REGIME.  BUT HE CONCLUDES THAT THE
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND AIR STRIKES HAVE HAD THE OPPOSITE OF THEIR
INTENDED EFFECT, FOR HE SAYS THEY HAVE WEAKENED THE IRAQI PEOPLE,
WHILE STRENGTHENING THE IRAQI REGIME. (SIGNED)
 
NEB/SB/DW/GE

19-Dec-98 2:33 PM EST (1933 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.