DATE=8/14/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ PROTEST (L)
NUMBER=2-265442
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  In Iraq, several hundred protesters have 
demonstrated outside offices of the United 
Nations in Baghdad, denouncing Saudi Arabia and 
Kuwait for supporting recent U-S and British air 
strikes against Iraq.  Iraq says two civilians 
were killed in the air raids and at least 22 
people wounded.  Correspondent Scott Bobb reports 
from our Middle East Bureau in Cairo.

TEXT:  The protesters chanted slogans against 
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and reportedly burned in 
effigy an image of the Saudi king. They also 
handed a letter to United Nations officials 
denouncing the allied air raids.

The demonstration follows a series of verbal 
attacks by President Saddam Hussein and other 
Iraqi officials on the two Gulf states for 
allowing U-S and British warplanes to operate 
from bases in their territories.  Since the Gulf 
War allied planes have patrolled no-fly zones in 
southern and northern Iraq to protect dissident 
populations there.

Following the speech by the Iraqi president, 
Kuwait put some troops on alert.

Saudi Arabia, however, has downplayed the 
criticism. A senior Saudi official was quoted by 
the official news agency Monday as saying the 
kingdom is used to such words and Saudi Arabia 
never fired a bullet against another Arab.

The official said his government did not feel the 
verbal attacks warranted a special security 
meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Allied warplanes struck the city of Samawah, 270 
kilometers south of Baghdad Friday and Saturday 
nights.  Iraq says they hit civilian residences, 
a food warehouse, and a train station.  U-S and 
British officials say the planes attacked 
military installations after they were targeted 
by Iraqi air defenses. (Signed)

NEB/SB/GE/KL 




14-Aug-2000 12:17 PM EDT (14-Aug-2000 1617 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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