DATE=11/23/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ OIL-U-N (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256493
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The President of the United Nations Security 
Council indicated today (Tuesday) that Iraq will 
resume oil shipments if the Council extends the "oil-
for-food" program for another six months. V-O-A 
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United 
Nations.


TEXT:  Council President Danilo Turk of Slovenia told 
reporters Iraqi oil should resume flowing if the 
Council approves phase seven - a six month extension - 
of the oil-for-food program. 

            /// TURK ACT ///

      I have no reason to assume there would be any 
      problem as far as the regular seventh phase of 
      the oil-for-food program is concerned. I have no 
      reason to believe there would be any problem 
      with that.

            /// END ACT ///

The government of Iraq abruptly ended its oil exports 
a few days ago to protest the Security Council's vote 
last Friday to extend the program for just two weeks. 
For three years, the U-N has authorized Iraq - in six-
month increments - to sell oil to raise money for 
humanitarian needs.  The two-week extension came about 
as a compromise when Russia and the United States were 
unable to agree on terms of the extension. Russia had 
argued that Iraq should be allowed to double the 
amount of money it spends on spare parts for its oil 
industry.

            /// REST OPT ///

While the oil issue may be resolved in the near 
future, the question of a comprehensive U-N resolution 
on Iraq is still in doubt. A resolution being 
discussed would lift the economic sanctions against 
Iraq in exchange for the return of weapons inspectors 
to that country. The five permanent members of the 
Security Council have been holding private meetings 
for several weeks in an effort to agree on details of 
that resolution. (Signed)

NEB/BA/LSF/TVM/gm



23-Nov-1999 16:54 PM EDT (23-Nov-1999 2154 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.