DATE=3/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246611
TITLE=IRAQ/EXECUTIONS (L-O)
BYLINE=LISA BRYANT
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQ HAS EXECUTED EIGHT MEN CONVICTED OF KILLING VISITING
IRANIAN SHIITE MUSLIM CLERICS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ TWO-YEARS AGO.  
LISA BRYANT REPORTS FROM CAIRO IRAN MAINTAINS IRAQ IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE KILLINGS.

TEXT:  OFFICIAL IRAQI NEWSPAPERS REPORTED SUNDAY THE COUNTRY HAD 
HANGED EIGHT MEN FOR KILLING TWO IRANIAN SHIITE MUSLIM CLERGYMEN 
IN 1998.

THE NEWSPAPERS SAID THE MEN HAD CONFESSED IN COURT TO KILLING 
SHEIKH ALI AL-GHARAWI AND GRAND AYATOLLAH SHEIKH MURTADA 
AL-BROOJARDI IN 1998.  ANOTHER IRANIAN SHIITE CLERGYMAN SURVIVED 
AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN IRAQ IN 1996.

THE KILLINGS TOOK PLACE IN THE SOUTHERN IRAQI CITIES OF KERBALA 
AND NAJAF, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED HOLY PLACES FOR SHIITE MUSLIMS.

PREDOMINATELY SHIITE IRAN HAS ACCUSED MAINLY SUNNI IRAQ OF HAVING
A HAND IN THE KILLINGS AND ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATIONS.  BAGHDAD HAS
PUT THE BLAME ON UNSPECIFIED FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SERVICES.

// REST UNVOICED OPT //  TEHRAN HAS ALSO IMPLICATED BAGHDAD IN 
THE FEBRUARY KILLINGS OF IRAQ'S GRAND AYATOLLAH MOHAMMED SADEQ 
AL-SADER AND HIS TWO SONS AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAQ'S 
LARGE SHIITE COMMUNITY. 

IRAQI AUTHORITIES CLAIM THEY HAVE MADE SEVERAL ARRESTS IN 
CONNECTION WITH THE KILLINGS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/LB/DW/RAE

14-Mar-99 1:14 PM EST (1814 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.