Iraq Opposes U.N. Resolution

["Shawgi A. Tell" <tell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf pointed out on
Wednesday that U.S. military planes had violated Iraq's air space
984 times since October 29. The U.N. has not explained how these
incursions into Iraqi airspace are part of "U.N. inspection" of
Iraqi arms production facilities.
     Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz said after the
Security Council adopted it's resolution that "This resolution is
added to a series of unjust resolutions adopted by the council in
the past." he said, "I have tried to explain our just cause in
front of the Security Council directly...but American pressure
and blackmail has prevented me." He added however that "Although
they have prevented me from speaking in front of the council, the
council members and the public opinion have been informed about
our cause, legitimate demands and suffering." Aziz said that Iraq
has implemented all U.N. Security Council resolutions but the
council had not met its obligations to Iraq.
     On October 29, Iraq prohibited inspectors of American
citizenship from taking part in U.N. inspection activities in
Iraq, claiming that they are engaged in spying and blocking U.N.
compliance with its obligations to Iraq. Iraq also demanded a
halt to flights by U.S. U-2 spy planes which the U.S. claims are
loaned to the UN to support inspection operations. It is claimed
that the latest resolution passed by the Security Council is in
response to these measures by Iraq. Iraq has reserved the right
to shoot down any plane illegally flying over its territory and
it persists in prohibiting Americans to take part in inspection
operations. However, it has never said the inspections cannot
take place. It is demanding that its concerns as regards the
activities of American inspectors and American warplanes be
listened to.

			TML DAILY, 11/97

Shawgi Tell
Graduate School of Education
University at Buffalo
tell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx