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                  SPECIAL REPORT FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA

                        E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org
                        http://www.radiohc.org



Statement by the Cuan Foreign Ministry on the US-UK attack against Iraq.

The full text of the statement follows:

The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Cuba observed with deep
concern as the armed forces of the United States deployed in the
Persian Gulf prepared a surprise air attack against Iraq.

Yesterday, December 16th, with the excuse that the work of the United
Nations Special Commission in that country (UNSCOM) had been unexpectedly
interrupted and an unusually precipitous report issued by = the head of
that Commission, President Clinton, once the hasty withdrawal of UNSCOM
members from Iraq was concluded, unilaterally ordered the commencement of
bombing against targets in Iraq. This was done without conferring with the
United Nations Security Council, an organization that Washington now
ignores after having used it on numerous occasions for its own interests. 

The bombing of Iraq, using Cruise missiles fired from naval vessels
located in the Persian Gulf, began at 12:50 a.m. today, local Baghdad
time.  Once again, peace is trampled upon, the rules of International Law
are violated and the physical well-being of the Iraqi people disregarded,
with arguments that do not and cannot convince international public
opinion. 

Obviously, these attacks do not represent any solution for the problems
regarding Iraq, nor do they serve to consolidate international peace and
security.  They work in direct opposition to these objectives. 

Cuba rejects, denounces and condemns the unilateral use of force by the
United States and, as on previous occasions, expresses its total
repudiation of these illegitimate actions, which must cease immediately. 

At the same time, Cuba calls on the United Nations Security Council to
take the necessary measures to prevent similar actions from occuring again
and to fulfill the mission for which it was created.  Today, Iraq is the
victim of imperial abuse.  Tomorrow, another nation = could be the target
of such dangerous conduct.  This requires the strongest and most urgent
rejection of the entire international community. 

Havana, 17th of December, 1998

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