DATE=5/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249665
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / HUMANITARIAN (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS HAS (TODAY/FRIDAY) RENEWED ITS 
OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM FOR IRAQ, WHICH PROVIDES HUMANITARIAN 
EXCEPTIONS TO SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON BAGHDAD AFTER THE GULF WAR.  
MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT, MAX RUSTON.

TEXT:  THE SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION 
(FRIDAY) EXTENDING THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM FOR IRAQ FOR AN 
ADDITIONAL SIX MONTHS -- ITS FIFTH SUCH EXTENSION SINCE THE 
PROGRAM BEGAN.  THE RESOLUTION DIFFERS FROM THE PREVIOUS 
EXTENSIONS, IN LEAVING OPEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE 
FIVE-POINT-TWO-BILLION DOLLAR CEILING ON IRAQ'S OIL EXPORTS COULD
BE RAISED.

UNDER THE PROGRAM, IRAQ IS ALLOWED TO EXPORT OIL IN RETURN FOR 
FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES.  THE PROGRAM IS 
DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT OF SANCTIONS ON ORDINARY IRAQI 
PEOPLE.

DURING RECENT PHASES OF THE PROGRAM, LOW OIL PRICES AND 
PRODUCTION DIFFICULTIES HAVE PREVENTED IRAQ FROM REACHING THE CAP
ON EXPORTS.  BUT RISING OIL PRICES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE 
INCREASED REVENUES.  DIPLOMATS SAY THEY WANT TO BE PREPARED TO 
LIFT THE EXPORT CEILING IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT IRAQ IS 
CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING IT.

U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS PETER BURLEIGH:

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         WE NOTE THAT THE RISE IN WORLD OIL PRICES HAS INCREASED 
         THE LEVEL OF AVAILABLE FUNDING IN RECENT MONTHS, AND 
         EXPRESS, AGAIN, OUR WILLINGNESS TO SEE THE PROGRAM 
         EXPAND IN RESPONSE TO HUMANITARIAN NEEDS.

                         /// END ACT ///

RUSSIA'S U-N AMBASSADOR, SERGEI LAVROV, EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE
EXTENSION, BUT CALLED FOR ADDITIONAL, STRONGER MEASURES TO EASE 
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.

                       /// LAVROV ACT ///

         SO WHILE AGREEING TO THIS RESOLUTION, WE REITERATE ONCE 
         AGAIN THE NEED TO URGENTLY ARRIVE AT THE SETTLEMENT OF 
         THE CURRENT DEADLOCK, WHICH WOULD INVOLVE INTRODUCING A 
         NEW MONITORING AND DISARMAMENT MECHANISM IN IRAQ IN 
         CONJUNCTION WITH RELIEVING THE BURDEN OF ECONOMIC 
         SANCTIONS.  AND UNLESS THIS HAPPENS, WE DO  NOT  BELIEVE
         THE HUMANITARIAN PROBLEMS OF IRAQ WILL BE ALLEVIATED.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL -- WHILE AGREEING TO EXTEND THE 
OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM -- REMAINS SHARPLY DIVIDED ON THE ISSUE OF 
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.  RUSSIA, FRANCE AND CHINA HAVE PROPOSED 
LIFTING MOST OF THE SANCTIONS.  THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN SAY
THAT CAN  NOT  BE DONE UNLESS IRAQ COOPERATES FULLY WITH U-N 
EFFORTS TO VERIFY BAGHDAD'S CLAIMS THAT IT  NO  LONGER HAS ANY 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS CAN  NOT  BE LIFTED 
UNTIL SUCH VERIFICATION IS RECEIVED.  IRAQ SEVERED ITS 
COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS LATE LAST YEAR, 
SUSPENDING THE VERIFICATION PROCESS.

COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO REACH A CONSENSUS ON THOSE
ISSUES, AND HOPE TO MAKE PROGRESS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW

21-May-99 5:02 PM EDT (2102 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.