DATE=12/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N (S-L)
NUMBER=2-256840
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Iraq has rejected a one-week extension of the 
United Nations' oil-for-food program.  Richard Engel 
reports from our Middle East bureau that Iraq says 
such a short extension is meaningless.

TEXT:  Iraq's foreign ministry accused the United 
States and Britain Friday of orchestrating the one-
week extension of the program that allows Iraq to sell 
oil to buy food and medicine.

Iraq's oil minister, Amer Mohammed Rasheed, who is in 
Cairo for a meeting of Arab oil producers, called the 
extension a "political joke."  He said Iraq cannot 
conclude contracts to sell oil in only seven days.  
The U-N humanitarian program is normally approved in 
six-month cycles.

Iraq wants sanctions to be permanently lifted and has 
often complained about the oil-for-food program.

/// Opt //  It halted oil exports last month to 
protest a U-N decision at that time to extend the oil-
for-food program for only two-weeks. /// End Opt ///

The U-N Security Council is divided over plans to 
suspend sanctions against Iraq in exchange for Baghdad 
allowing U-N weapons inspectors back into the country.  
Weapons inspectors have not been allowed in Iraq since 
U-S and British air raids a year ago.

            /// Rest Opt for Long ///

Iraq says the short one and two-week extensions are  
U-S and British tactics to pressure the United Nations 
to adopt what Iraq calls a vicious British proposal 
that would force Iraq to allow weapons inspectors to 
return before the nine-year-old sanctions are lifted.

In New York, U-S officials predict the U-N Security 
Council will reach an agreement next week on how to 
re-start weapons inspections, and at the same time 
improve humanitarian programs to help Iraqis cope with 
life under the sanctions. (Signed)

NEB/RHE/DW/JP




04-Dec-1999 09:17 AM EDT (04-Dec-1999 1417 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.