DATE=11/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241739
TITLE=IRAQ CRISIS (L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=MANNA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: TENSIONS IN THE PERSIAN GULF ARE EASING A BIT, NOW THAT 
WASHINGTON AND THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE ACCEPTED IRAQ'S PLEDGE TO 
ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS TO RETURN TO THEIR WORK WITHOUT CONDITIONS. 
THE INSPECTORS AND HUMANITARIAN WORKERS ARE STARTING THE JOURNEY 
BACK TO BAGHDAD.  V-O-A'S LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM AMMAN, 
JORDAN.

TEXT: MORE THAN 150 U-N HUMANITARIAN WORKERS, WHO HAD BEEN 
EVACUATED TO JORDAN DURING THE CRISIS, ARE HEADING BACK TO 
BAGHDAD.  U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WAITING IN BAHRAIN WILL RETURN 
ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

BUT NOW IRAQI NEWSPAPERS ARE VOICING ANGER OVER PRESIDENT BILL 
CLINTON'S CALL FOR A CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP IN BAGHDAD. THE 
STATE-RUN NEWSPAPER "AL JUMHARIYAH" ACCUSES WASHINGTON OF 
DISREGARD FOR THE U-N CHARTER AND INTERNATIONAL LAW. 

ON SUNDAY, PRESIDENT CLINTON REASSERTED U-S SUPPORT FOR A CHANGE 
OF GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ THAT, HE SAYS, WOULD BRING A NEW LEADERSHIP
COMMITTED TO PEACE. 

IRAQI DISSIDENT DHOGAN KADHIM OF THE AMMAN-BASED "IRAQI NATIONAL 
ACCORD" SAYS HIS GROUP AND OTHERS ALREADY HAVE BEEN LOBBYING 
FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS FOR SUPPORT. HE SAYS THEY ALSO PROMOTE THEIR 
CAUSE INSIDE IRAQ THROUGH SECRET CONTACTS AND RADIO BROADCASTS.

                       /// KADHIM ACT ///

         WE'RE SAYING THE IRAQI PEOPLE SHOULD GOVERN THEMSELVES 
         THROUGH CIVILIZED MEANS -- THAT IS TO SAY THROUGH 
         PARLIAMENT, PARTIES, MEDIA ETC.  AND THAT WOULD NEVER 
         HAPPEN WITH THIS REGIME.

                         /// END ACT ///

//OPT// THE U-S CONGRESS RECENTLY APPROVED NEARLY 100-MILLION 
DOLLARS TO HELP THE EXILED IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS. //END OPT//

FOR NOW, THE ARAB WORLD HAS BREATHED A COLLECTIVE SIGH OF RELIEF 
THAT MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ WAS AVERTED AFTER BAGHDAD 
CLARIFIED ITS PROMISE OF UNCONDITIONAL COOPERATION WITH THE 
UNITED NATIONS.  BUT WASHINGTON WARNS THAT U-S FORCES COULD 
STRIKE WITHOUT WARNING, IF BAGHDAD DOES NOT KEEP ITS WORD. 

AMMAN'S ENGLISH-LANGUAGE DAILY, "THE JORDAN TIMES", CONCLUDES 
THAT THE CRISIS IS NOT YET OVER.  WASHINGTON AND LONDON, THE 
NEWSPAPER SAYS, WILL CONTINUE THEIR WAIT WITH FINGERS ON THE 
TRIGGER FOR THE NEXT CONFRONTATION. AND MANY IN THE REGION 
PREDICT IT WILL COME SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/PCF/PLM

16-Nov-98 6:40 AM EST (1140 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.