DATE=12/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243442
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ HAS BANNED UNITED NATIONS FLIGHTS 
INTO THE!COUNTRY!-- THE ACTION COMING FOUR DAYS AFTER THE END OF 
U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES.  MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT 
BOBB REPORTS THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS U-N WORKERS RESUME 
HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS IN IRAQ SUSPENDED DURING THE ATTACKS.

TEXT:  U-N SOURCES TOLD REPORTERS WEDNESDAY IRAQI OFFICIALS 
REFUSED PERMISSION FOR A U-N PLANE TO FLY TO BAGHDAD. AS A 
RESULT, THEY SAY U-N SPECIAL ENVOY PRAKASH SHAH, WHO WAS LEAVING 
FROM BAGHDAD ON HOLIDAY, LEFT BY ROAD FOR JORDAN.

THERE WAS  NO  OFFICIAL EXPLANATION FOR THE BAN.

IRAQI AIR DEFENSES ARE REPORTEDLY STILL ON ALERT, FOLLOWING THE 
ATTACKS, WHICH U-S AND BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY HIT NEARLY 100 
TARGETS.  //OPT// IRAQI OFFICIALS TUESDAY SAID A WESTERN PLANE 
FIRED TWO MISSILES NEAR THE SOUTHERN CITY OF BASRA, A CHARGE 
WHICH WAS DENIED BY THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS. //END OPT//

FOLMOWING TIE AIR STRIKES, IRAQI OFFICIALS SAID THE U-N SPECIAL 
COMMISSION IN IRAQ WAS FINISHED AND U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WOULD 
NOT  BE ALLOWED TO RETURN. THE INSPECTORS USUALLY TRAVEL TO IRAQ 
BY AIR FROM BAHRAIN. U-N HUMANITARIAN WORKERS USUALLY TRAVEL BY 
ROAD FROM NEIGHBORING JORDAN.

THE HUMANITARIAN WORKERS WEDNESDAY RESUMED DISTRIBUTIONS OF FOOD 
AND MEDICINE TO NEEDY IRAQIS.  MOST OF THEIR STAFF RETURNED 
TUESDAY AFTER BEING EVACUATED LAST WEEK DURING THE AIR STRIKES. 
OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ASSESSING THE DAMAGE.

THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT IS ALSO ASSESSING THE DAMAGE. REPORTS SAY IT
INTENDS TO SEEK COMPENSATION BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS.

///REST OPT.///

THE IRAQI NEWS MEDIA WEDNESDAY DEMANDED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL 
PUNISH THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN FOR THE ATTACKS.

THE OFFICIAL "AL-JUMHOURIA" NEWSPAPER SAID THE UNITED STATES AND 
BRITAIN SHOULD BE OBLIGED TO PAY REPARATIONS GOR IRAQ'S HUMAN AND
MATERIAL LOSSES.

THE "AL-THAWRA" PAPER OF THE RULING BAATH PARTY SAID THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER LIFTING THE ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ BECAUSE OF THE ATTACKS.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WOULD CONSIDER INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF 
OIL IRAQ CAN EXPORT IN ORDER TO BUY FOOD AND MEDICINE FOR ITS 
PEOPLE.  BUT THE OFFICIALS MAINTAIN THAT BEFORE THE SANCTIONS CAN
BE LIFTED, IRAQ MUST RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS -- A CONDITION THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT REJECTS. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/PCF

23-Dec-98 8:25 AM EST (1325 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.