DATE=11/17/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ-U-N-OIL SALES (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256287
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO: The United Nations Security Council is expected 
to decide this week to renew a humanitarian exemption 
to the embargo on the purchase of oil from Iraq. 
However, delays in shipment of certain goods to Iraq 
continue to be a matter of controversy. V-O-A 
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United 
Nations.  


TEXT: The Security Council has met informally to 
discuss a six-month renewal of Iraq's authority to 
sell oil to raise money for food and other 
humanitarian needs. That renewal will almost certainly 
be approved by the Council before the current 
authority expires on November 21st.

However, there is still controversy in the Security 
Council about the policy, backed by Britain and the 
United States, of holding up shipments of some Iraqi 
imports under the program. In a report to the Council, 
Benon Sevan, Director of the U-N Iraq Program, said 
those so-called "holds" on imports have adversely 
affected Iraq's agricultural sector and limited the 
country's ability to generate reliable electric power.

But Peter Burleigh, the Deputy Chief of the United 
States Mission to the United Nations, says "holds" 
have been put on some shipments simply because the 
shippers have not provided sufficient information 
about what is being sent to Iraq. He also told 
reporters the United States continues to put "holds" 
on imports into Iraq that could be used for military 
purposes.

            /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

      We are going to continue our "holds" policy 
      until we are satisfied that nothing that has to 
      do with weapons of mass destruction finds its 
      way into Iraq.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Burleigh says it should be clear by the end of 
this month whether the Security Council can agree on a 
resolution that would suspend sanctions against Iraq 
in exchange for the return of arms inspectors who were 
expelled by Iraq a year ago. The five permanent 
members of the Council have been holding a series of 
private meetings to work out details of that 
resolution. (Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/LSF/ENE/gm



17-Nov-1999 16:36 PM EDT (17-Nov-1999 2136 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.