DATE=9/11/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ - ARAB LEAGUE  L-O
NUMBER=2-253736
BYLINE=LISA BRYANT
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Foreign ministers of Arab League countries 
gather in Egypt Sunday for their twice-yearly meeting 
at the League's Cairo headquarters. But Lisa Bryant 
reports from Cairo that one thing will be far from 
normal: this time, for the first time since the 
Persian Gulf War, Iraq is chairing the meeting.

TEXT:  The last time the Arab League's foreign 
ministers met, in January, Iraqi Foreign Minister 
Saeed al-Sahaf stormed out of the session. He was 
angry that his colleagues refused to strongly condemn 
the December U-S and British bombing raids on Iraq.

Now the Iraqi Foreign Minister is back -- as the new 
rotating chair of the Arab League. Although the 
foreign ministers are expected to discuss routine Arab 
political and economic issues, Arab analyst Mohammad 
Said expects Iraq will be lobbying for its own 
interests.

Mr. Said, of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and 
Strategic Studies, says Baghdad will again push other 
Arab countries to condemn ongoing U-S and British 
strikes in Iraqi no-fly zones.  Mr. al-Sahaf is also 
likely to call for warmer Arab political and economic 
ties with Iraq. But whether his demands will be met is 
another question.

            //SAID ACT//

      Iraq is not going to get condemnation of the 
      American constant bombing of Iraq, but it will 
      get something. That will range from sympathy for 
      the Iraqi people's plight in relation to 
      humanitarian losses, and the humanitarian issue 
      at large pertaining to sanctions. And possibly 
      also a call for a new program for the 
      elimination of sanctions on Iraq.

            //END ACT//

But Mr. Said believes that any Arab League declaration 
on these matters will not be a unanimous one. He said 
countries like Yemen and Libya will support Iraq's 
cause. But Persian Gulf states -- particularly Kuwait, 
which was invaded by Iraq in 1990 -- will not.

Even before the Arab League meetings get underway, 
Arab press reports have described behind-the-scenes 
arguments. There have been fears that not all 
countries would send representatives to the session, 
and speculation about why the League meeting was 
postponed for a week. But Mr. Said says he believes 
most of the major problems are now resolved.

On his arrival in Cairo Friday, Foreign Minister al-
Sahaf said Baghdad was eager to build unity among Arab 
League countries. But it is unclear whether Iraq will 
cooperate with a new Arab League committee aimed to 
help end U-N sanctions on Iraq. 

The Iraq sanctions issue comes up in London just days 
after the Arab League sessions. The five permanent 
members of the U-N Security Council meet to discuss 
chances of easing sanctions on Baghdad, and ways to 
restore weapons inspections that were suspended last 
December. (SIGNED)

NEB/LB/DW/JO



11-Sep-1999 10:08 AM EDT (11-Sep-1999 1408 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.