DATE=02/19/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ RAIDS (L)

NUMBER=2-272762

BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: For a third day, Iraqi demonstrators have protested last week's U-S and British air strikes near Baghdad. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government is increasing diplomatic moves aimed at broadening international criticism of the attacks. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from our Middle East Bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: Thousands of Iraqi's demonstrated in Baghdad, chanting slogans and burning British and U-S flags. News agencies report two separate demonstrations were held in the suburbs of the capital.

Iraq's foreign minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf sent letters to the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement asking them to condemn what he called a dangerous escalation that threatens Iraq's security and sovereignty.

The Iraqi official also accused Kuwait and Saudi Arabia of being partners in the attack because some of the allied planes are based there.

Iraq's newspapers condemned the attacks in front-page editorials. They urged the Iraqi government to retaliate against Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, which they said were partly responsible.

Iraq says two civilians were killed and 20-people were wounded when the missiles struck shops and homes in an agricultural area. U-S and British leaders say the attacks were against Iraqi air defense command centers. They say the attacks were necessary because of a rising threat to allied planes and pilots.

Allied planes for years have carried out air patrols over two no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq. Iraq says the patrols are illegal and a violation of its sovereignty.

Clashes with Iraqi air defenses increased two-years ago when Iraq adopted a policy of trying to down the planes, and allied planes were authorized to respond with missile attacks when Iraqi radar targeted them.

Friday's attack was just north of the southern no-fly zone and was the first near Baghdad in two years.

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It has brought condemnation from most Arab nations who view it as politically motivated and note it comes one week before Iraqi officials are due to meet U-N officials. They are to examine the issue of international sanctions and the suspended U-N weapons inspections program in Iraq.

Some Arab commentators have said the attacks are also aimed at dividing the Arab world as its leaders prepare to meet next month in Jordan to forge a united Arab response to the violence in the Palestinian territories.

Many governments in Europe and Asia have also expressed concern over the attacks, saying they will inflame Arab public opinion that is angry over the violence in Gaza and the West Bank. (Signed)

NEB/SB/GE/RAE