DATE=12/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243329
TITLE=ARAB/STRIKES END (L ONLY)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO  
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ARAB COUNTRIES EXPRESSED RELIEF OVER 
THE ENDING OF U-S AND BRITISH ATTACKS AGAINST IRAQ.  BUT AS 
RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM CAIRO, MANY ARABS BLAME THEIR 
GOVERNMENTS FOR NOT HAVING DONE ENOUGH TO STOP THE MILITARY 
ACTION SOONER.

TEXT:  IN CAIRO, A SMALL GROUP OF DEMONSTRATORS GATHERED (SUNDAY)
IN FRONT OF THE ARAB LEAGUE TO CRITICIZE ITS LACK OF ACTION TO 
STOP ATTACKS AGAINST IRAQ.

THE FEELING THAT ARAB GOVERNMENTS STOOD PASSIVELY BY WHILE BOMBS 
FELL ON BAGHDAD WAS ECHOED IN THE REGION'S NEWSPAPERS.  THE GULF 
NEWSPAPER AL KHALEEJ SAID ARAB GOVERNMENTS MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY 
TO TACKLE A CRISIS THAT EFFECTS THEM ALL.  EGYPT'S "AL WAFD" 
NEWSPAPER SIMPLY ASKED ARAB LEADERS -- WHERE ARE YOU?

THE ARAB LEAGUE'S SECRETARY GENERAL, ESMAT ABDEL MEGUID, DEFENDED
HIS ROLE, TELLING REPORTERS HE ISSUED AN EARLY STATEMENT 
CONDEMNING THE ATTACKS. 

/// OPT ///  BUT CONDEMNATIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH FOR MANY ARABS WHO 
ARE CALLING FOR AN ARAB BOYCOTT OF THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN 
IN RESPONSE TO THE ATTACKS ON IRAQ.  SOME ISLAMIC MILITANTS IN 
THE REGION ARE ALSO CALLING FOR A HOLY WAR AGAINST U-S AND 
BRITISH INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.  /// END OPT ///

ONE EGYPTIAN OFFICIAL TOLD V-O-A EGYPT AND OTHER U-S ALLIES IN 
THE MIDDLE EAST CANNOT CHALLENGE THE UNITED STATES EVEN IF THEY 
WANT TO BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL AND MILITARY AID THEY RECEIVE 
FROM WASHINGTON.

EGYPT'S FOREIGN MINISTER, AMR MOUSSA, WELCOMED THE ENDING OF THE 
STRIKES, AND CRITICIZED U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS AND THEIR CHIEF, 
RICHARD BUTLER.

                   /// INSERT MOUSSA ACT /// 

         I INSIST ON WHAT WE HAVE SAID AND WHAT HAS BEEN SAID 
         THAT UNSCOM DID NOT LIVE UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
         SECURITY COUNCIL AND TO THE U-N CHARTER.  IT IS NOT AN 
         INDEPENDENT BODY AND HAS TO ACT UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF 
         THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OR THE SECURITY COUNCIL.  NOT 
         ALONE. 

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. MOUSSA CALLED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF IRAQ'S WEAPONS 
INSPECTION SYSTEM.  HE SAID MR. BUTLER SHOULD BE REPLACED.

ANALYSTS SAY PUSHING FOR THE REMOVAL OF MR. BUTLER, AN 
AUSTRALIAN, COULD BE A WAY FOR PRO-AMERICAN ARAB GOVERNMENTS TO 
SHOW THEIR SOLIDARITY WITH THE IRAQI PEOPLE WITHOUT ANTAGONIZING 
THE UNITED STATES.   (SIGNED) 

NEB/RHE/DW/RAE

20-Dec-98 1:14 PM EST (1814 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.