DATE=11/3/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ / EMBARGO (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255768
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Iraq's Foreign Minister is asking for a 
constructive dialogue between the Security Council and 
his country to find a way to end U-N sanctions.  Lisa 
Schlein reports from Geneva, Muhammad Sa'id Al-Sahhaf 
says his country will not accept a temporary 
suspension of sanctions.

TEXT:  Iraq's Foreign Minister, Muhammad Sa'id Al-
Sahhaf blames the deterioration in the social and 
economic well-being of his country on U-N sanctions 
that were imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.

Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Mr. Al-Sahhaf 
says there should be continuous contacts between the 
Security Council and Iraq.  He says a constructive 
dialogue is the only way in which problems can be 
solved.

Mr. Al-Sahhaf says it is time for nine-years of what 
he calls -- a vindictive policy against Iraq to end.

The sanctions are to be lifted after U-N weapons 
inspectors determine Iraq's weapons of mass 
destruction have been eliminated.  The Foreign 
Minister says Iraq is adhering to the sanctions 
resolutions.

But U-N inspectors left Iraq last December after being 
denied access to suspected weapons production sites.  
Mr. Al-Sahhaf says his country is not to blame and the 
inspectors might be able to come back.

            /// AL SAHHAF ACT ///

      If they want to come back, they have to discuss, 
      they have to condemn those aggressors and they 
      have to lift sanctions imposed on Iraq.  We are 
      ready to engage in a dialogue with the Security 
      Council in order to arrange all these things.  
      And that the ongoing monitoring regime returns 
      to Iraq, sanctions should be lifted.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Al-Sahhaf rejects suggestions that sanctions be 
temporarily suspended.  The five permanent Security 
Council members - Britain, China, France, Russia, and 
the United States - have been trying to agree on a 
plan that would suspend the sanctions in return for a 
new weapons inspection commission.

The Iraqi diplomat notes Security Council resolutions 
say nothing about such a procedure.  He says this is 
an attempt to impose new condtions by re-writing U-N 
resolutions.

            /// 2ND AL-SAHHAF ACT ///

      It is not accepted to impose sanctions and not 
      to know how to lift it.  They impose sanctions 
      before more than nine-years and they are 
      differing with each other in the Council and the 
      victim is waiting to see when they reach some 
      kind of a decision. 

            /// END ACT ///

The Iraqi Foreign Minister says he believes it is 
better to work toward a definitive end to the 
sanctions.   (SIGNED)

NEB/LS/GE/RAE



03-Nov-1999 11:10 AM EDT (03-Nov-1999 1610 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.