Subject: U-N / IRAQ (L ONLY) By DOUGLAS ROBERTS/GENEVA From: "Demetrios E. Paneras" DATE=3/22/95 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-175881 TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L ONLY) BYLINE=DOUGLAS ROBERTS DATELINE=GENEVA CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS TURKISH TROOPS CONTINUE THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST KURDISH GUERRILLAS IN NORTHERN IRAQ, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED INCREASED HUMANITARIAN AID FOR THE REGION. BUT V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS U-N OFFICIALS IN GENEVA SAY THE TURKISH MILITARY OPERATION IS BLOCKING DELIVERY OF FOOD AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES FOR NORTHERN IRAQ, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING. TEXT: TURKEY SEALED OFF ITS SOUTHEASTERN BORDER WITH IRAQ WHEN ANKARA GOVERNMENT FORCES LAUNCHED THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST GUERRILLAS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY ON MONDAY. THE OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF U-N HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN IRAQ, MOHAMMED ZEJJARI, SAYS TURKEY HAS PROMISED THAT THE BORDER WILL BE OPEN AGAIN SOON. BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, HUMANITARIAN AID IS NOT BEING ALLOWED INTO AN AREA THAT IS HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE. MR. ZEJJARI CHAIRED A MEETING OF DONOR NATIONS HERE TUESDAY, SEEKING FUNDS FOR THE U-N'S HUMANITARIAN PROGRAM IN IRAQ. THAT PROGRAM COVERS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, BUT FOCUSES LARGELY ON THE KURDISH AREAS IN THE NORTH THAT REMAIN OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE GOVERNMENT IN BAGHDAD. MR. ZEJJARI SAID THAT WHILE MOST OF THE TRADITIONAL DONORS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, PROMISED CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM, ONLY TWO FORMAL PLEDGES WERE MADE AT THE GENEVA MEETING. THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED A CONTRIBUTION OF FOUR-MILLION DOLLARS AND TURKEY PLEDGED 12-MILLION DOLLARS, IN THE FORM OF FOOD AID FOR NORTHERN IRAQ AS WELL AS ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES FOR THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF DOHUK. THE UNITED NATIONS IS SCALING BACK ITS AID PROGRAM FOR IRAQ THIS YEAR BY MORE THAN 100-MILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE OF A CHRONIC SHORTAGE OF FUNDS. MR. SEJJARI SAID THE UNITED NATIONS IS APPEALING FOR LESS, NOT BECAUSE THE NEEDS ARE LESS, BUT OUT OF A SENSE OF REALISM, GIVEN THE WORLDWIDE SHORTAGE OF AID RESOURCES. THE U-N OFFICIAL SAID THE PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON HEALTH CARE AND FOOD AID, ESPECIALLY FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. HE SAID MALNUTRITION IS INCREASING STEADILY THROUGHOUT IRAQ, PARTICULARLY AMONG CHILDREN AGED TWO AND UNDER. WHILE THE U-N PROGRAM GIVES PRIORITY TO KURDISH AREAS IN THE NORTH, RELIEF AGENCY OFFICIALS ARE WARNING THAT HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN IRAQ ARE INCREASINGLY DESPERATE. A STATEMENT FROM CARE INTERNATIONAL SAYS POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS APPEAR TO BE PREVENTING DONOR NATIONS FROM CONTRIBUTING FUNDS TO PROGRAMS IN THOSE AREAS.BUT WESTERN GOVERNMENTS SAY THE BLAME RESTS SQUARELY ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT. A STANDING U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZES IRAQ TO MAKE A LIMITED SALE OF OIL IN ORDER TO OBTAIN FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF ESSENTIAL FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES. BUT IRAQ CONTINUES TO REJECT THE CONDITIONS OF THE SALE. THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE CALLED FOR A REVIEW OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION. BUT MR. ZEJJARI SAID HE HAS SEEN NO INDICATION THAT BAGHDAD IS PREPARED TO EASE ITS OPPOSITION. (SIGNED) NEB/DBR/SKH/JWH 22-Mar-95 8:59 AM EST (1359 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America ------------------------------------------------------------------------------