DATE=2/1/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244942
TITLE=IRAQ / BRITAIN (L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN SAYS HE IS READY TO PAY 
25-MILLION DINARS -- ABOUT 14-THOUSAND DOLLARS -- TO ANY AIR 
DEFENSE TROOPS WHO SHOOT DOWN HOSTILE AIRCRAFT.  THE THREAT IS 
AIMED AT U-S AND BRITISH AIRCRAFT PATROLLING NO-FLY ZONES OVER 
NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN IRAQ.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN 
IN LONDON REPORTS BRITAIN SAYS THE THREAT WILL  NOT  STOP ITS 
PATROLS.

TEXT:  THE FOREIGN MINISTRY'S TOP OFFICIAL FOR MIDDLE EAST 
AFFAIRS, DEREK FATCHETT, SAYS BRITAIN REMAINS COMMITTED TO 
PATROLLING THE NO-FLY ZONES DESPITE SADDAM HUSSEIN'S LATEST 
THREATS.  AND, HE SAYS THE IRAQI LEADER KNOWS THE RULES OF 
ENGAGEMENT.

                      ///  FATCHET ACT  ///

         BAGHDAD KNOWS THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, AND I HAVE  NO  
         HESITATION IN SAYING THAT WE SEE THE NO-FLY ZONES AS AN 
         IMPORTANT HUMANITARIAN MEASURE.  AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO
         ENFORCE THEM FOR THAT VERY REASON THAT WE ARE SAVING 
         THOUSANDS OF LIVES OF IRAQIS BY HAVING THOSE NO-FLY 
         ZONES.

                        ///  END ACT  ///

THE ALLIED AIR PATROLS OVER NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN IRAQ WERE 
INITIATED TO PROTECT KURDISH AND SHIITE COMMUNITIES FROM 
BAGHDAD'S AGGRESSIONS AFTER THE 1991 GULF WAR.  

MR. FATCHETT ARGUES THAT THE LATEST THREATS ARE JUST ONE SIGN OF 
A WEAKENED LEADER.  BUT HE WARNS THAT A WEAKENED SADDAM HUSSEIN 
IS STILL DANGEROUS. 

THE BRITISH DIPLOMAT SAYS THE IRAQI LEADER'S VERBAL ATTACKS ON 
HIS NEIGHBORS ARE ANOTHER SIGN OF DESPERATION AFTER ARAB LEADERS 
REJECTED HIS CALLS FOR SUPPORT.

                    ///  FATCHET ACT TWO  ///

         IT HAS TURNED ON ITS ARAB NEIGHBORS, KUWAIT AND THE 
         STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BORDER WITH KUWAIT AND ITS REFUSAL 
         TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER, ATTACKS ON 
         SAUDI ARABIA, ATTACKS ON EGYPT, ATTACKS ON VIRTUALLY ALL
         THE ARAB LEADERSHIP IN THE REGION.  

                        ///  END ACT  ///

MR. FATCHET  INSISTS THAT U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES AGAINST 
IRAQI MILITARY TARGETS LAST DECEMBER HAVE WEAKENED SADDAM HUSSEIN
AND SERIOUSLY DAMAGED THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HELPS HIM KEEP HIS 
GRIP ON POWER.  (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/JWH

01-Feb-99 11:32 AM EST (1632 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.