DATE=3/18/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246843
TITLE=U-N / SAUDI / IRAQ  (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  AT THE UNITED NATIONS, DIVISIONS IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL 
OVER HOW TO DEAL WITH IRAQ ARE CONTINUING TO SURFACE.  THE LATEST
SPLIT WAS EVIDENT IN THE COUNCIL'S SANCTIONS COMMITTEE, WHICH MET
TODAY (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS IRAQ'S SENDING OF PILGRIMAGE FLIGHTS 
TO SAUDI ARABIA WITHOUT U-N APPROVAL.  V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT 
MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE COUNCIL'S SANCTIONS COMMITTEE MET AFTER RECEIVING A 
LETTER FROM SAUDI ARABIA ASKING FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH 
IRAQI PLANES FLYING PILGRIMS TO MECCA.  IRAQ HAS SENT AT LEAST 
THREE PLANES TO SAUDI ARABIA THIS WEEK.  SAUDI ARABIA ALLOWED AT 
LEAST ONE TO RETURN TO IRAQ AFTER UNLOADING ITS PASSENGERS AND 
HAS SAID IT WILL DO THE SAME WITH OTHERS IF IT DOES NOT RECEIVE 
GUIDANCE FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS APPROVED AFTER THE GULF WAR DEMAND 
NOTIFICATION OF FLIGHTS AND BAR IRAQ FROM CARRYING OUT ANY 
COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS.  DIPLOMATS SAY SANCTIONS COMMITTEE 
MEMBERS DISAGREE OVER WHETHER IRAQ'S SENDING OF PLANES TO MECCA 
VIOLATES THOSE RESOLUTIONS.  THE FLIGHTS ALSO APPEAR TO VIOLATE A
WESTERN-IMPOSED NO-FLY ZONE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ.

U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD RELEASED A BRIEF, OFFICIAL STATEMENT 
ON THE COMMITTEE'S DISCUSSIONS.

                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///

         ACCORDING TO THE COMMITTEE, THERE WAS NO CONSENSUS ON 
         THIS MATTER AMONG MEMBERS.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN SHARPLY DIVIDED OVER IRAQ SINCE 
DECEMBER, WHEN THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN LAUNCHED A SERIES OF
MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST THAT COUNTRY.  THE STRIKES WERE CARRIED 
OUT IN AN EFFORT TO PRESSURE IRAQ INTO RESUMING COOPERATION WITH 
THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  SINCE THEN, THE 
COUNCIL HAS TAKEN ALMOST NO ACTION CONCERNING IRAQ, AND ALL 
INSPECTIONS HAVE STOPPED.

THE MAIN DIVISION IN THE COUNCIL IS BETWEEN RUSSIA, FRANCE AND 
CHINA ON ONE SIDE, CALLING FOR AN EASING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST 
IRAQ.  BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES ARE ON THE OTHER, SAYING 
IRAQ HAS NOT MET COUNCIL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE LIFTING 
OR EASING OF SANCTIONS.

DIPLOMATS SAY IRAQ'S DECISION TO SEND PILGRIMAGE FLIGHTS TO MECCA
MAY BE AN EFFORT BY BAGHDAD TO MAINTAIN THOSE DIVISIONS AND 
CONTINUE PRESSING FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS.  THEY SAY THE 
FACT THAT THE FLIGHTS ARE RELIGIOUS IN NATURE MAKES IT 
PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR BRITAIN OR THE UNITED STATES TO 
RESPOND WITH MILITARY ACTION.  THEY SAY THAT LACK OF ENFORCEMENT 
IS THEN SEEN BY MANY AS A SIGN THAT SANCTIONS ARE NO LONGER 
EFFECTIVE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/GE

18-Mar-99 3:27 PM EST (2027 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.