DATE=3/3/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246201
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ OIL (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A SENIOR UNITED NATIONS OFFICIAL SAYS (WEDNESDAY) IRAQ 
SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESUME PUMPING OIL THROUGH ITS EXPORT PIPELINE 
TO TURKEY SOON.  PIPELINE OPERATIONS WERE HALTED SUNDAY FOLLOWING
U-S AIR STRIKES IN THE REGION.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS' IRAQ PROGRAM, BENON 
SEVAN, SAYS THE FLOW OF OIL THROUGH THE EXPORT PIPELINE TO TURKEY
WAS HALTED SUNDAY FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF AN IRAQI COMMUNICATIONS 
STATION.  HE SAYS IRAQI OFFICIALS CONSIDERED IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE
THE PIPELINE WITHOUT ADEQUATE COMMUNICATIONS.  IRAQ ACCUSED THE 
UNITED STATES OF BOMBING THE COMMUNICATIONS STATION WITH THE 
INTENT OF STOPPING OIL EXPORTS -- A CHARGE THE UNITED STATES 
DENIES.

MR. SEVAN BRIEFED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE SITUATION 
CONCERNING THE PIPELINE.  HE TOLD COUNCIL MEMBERS IT SHOULD BE 
POSSIBLE TO RESOLVE THE COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEM AND RESUME PUMPING
SOON.

                        /// SEVAN ACT ///

         OUR OWN ESTIMATE IS, ACCORDING TO OUR EXPERTS, ON THE 
         IRAQI SIDE THEY ARE TRYING VERY HARD TO EXPEDITE THE 
         REPAIRS FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS STATION, WHICH IS ABOUT 
         125 KILOMETERS AWAY FROM ZAKHO, NEAR THE BORDER WITH 
         TURKEY.  IT CAN START AS EARLY AS TODAY, BUT WE ARE NOT 
         SURE YET.  AND WE HOPE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO DO IT
         BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW THE REVENUES FROM OIL ARE ALREADY 
         VERY LOW, ALMOST A BILLION DOLLARS LESS THAN EXPECTED, 
         AND THEREFORE IT IS GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE 
         IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HUMANITARIAN PROGRAM, WHICH IS 
         ALREADY SUFFERING FROM LACK OF FUNDS.

                         /// END ACT ///

OIL EXPORTS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE UNITED NATIONS' OIL-FOR-FOOD 
PROGRAM WITH IRAQ.  THE PROGRAM PROVIDES EXCEPTIONS TO SANCTIONS,
ALLOWING IRAQ TO EXPORT LIMITED QUANTITIES OF OIL IN RETURN FOR 
HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES, PRIMARILY FOOD AND MEDICINE.

MR. SEVAN SAYS THE PROBLEMS WITH THE PIPELINE HAVE NOT 
INTERRUPTED THE EXPORT OF IRAQI OIL FROM TURKEY, BECAUSE OF THE 
LARGE AMOUNT OF IRAQI OIL ALREADY STORED THERE.

U-S DIPLOMATS AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING SAY THERE IS 
GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE OIL FLOW SHOULD RESUME AS SOON AS 
POSSIBLE.  THEY DEFEND THE U-S MILITARY STRIKES IN IRAQ AS 
NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF POPULATIONS IN IRAQ VULNERABLE TO
ATTACK BY FORCES LOYAL TO SADDAM HUSSEIN.  THEY SAY THE STRIKES 
ARE JUSTIFIED UNDER SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS -- A CLAIM SOME 
COUNCIL MEMBERS DISPUTE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/GE

03-Mar-99 3:46 PM EST (2046 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.