DATE=3/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=UN IRAQI OIL (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260581
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The United States today (Friday) introduced a 
resolution in the U-N Security Council that would 
substantially increase the amount of money that Iraq 
is allowed to spend on its oil industry. V-O-A 
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United 
Nations.


TEXT:  U-S representative James Cunningham told the 
Security Council the United States agrees that the 
Iraqi oil industry is in need of more spare parts.  
Under the U-N's oil-for food program, Iraq sells oil 
to raise money for humanitarian purposes.

Mr. Cunningham said the U-S supports a recommendation 
from the U-N secretary-general that the amount of 
money Iraq can spend on spare parts be doubled from 
300-million dollars to 600-million dollars every six 
months. A U-S-sponsored resolution to do that is 
expected to be approved within a week.

But Russian ambassador Sergey Lavrov questioned 
whether the increase will do any good if the United 
States continues, through the U-N's Iraq sanctions 
committee, to block certain shipments to Iraq.  The 
United States says those shipments that are blocked 
are those containing items that could be used in 
weapons or shipments with insufficient information on 
what they contain.

Speaking through an English translator, Mr. Lavrov 
said doubling the amount Iraq can spend on spare parts 
is meaningless unless the parts can be shipped.

            /// Lavrov translator act ///

      The contracts for spare parts and equipment 
      should not be blocked in the sanctions 
      committee, otherwise there would be no point to 
      this decision.

            /// End Act ///

The Security Council is grappling with what U-N 
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called a "moral 
dilemma" for the world organization.  The council is 
trying to ensure the Iraqi people receive sufficient 
humanitarian relief, while also guarding against the 
Iraqi government's acquisition of items that could be 
used in weapons of mass destruction.

Mr. Annan says the simple solution would be for Iraq 
to comply with the U-N resolution, approved in 
December, that says sanctions will be lifted if Iraq 
fully complies with U-N weapons inspections.  So far, 
Iraq has said it will not cooperate with the U-N 
resolution.(Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JP




24-Mar-2000 17:26 PM EDT (24-Mar-2000 2226 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.