DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243177
TITLE=RUSSIA/IRAQ -2ND UPDATE (S)
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: IN A RARE SHOW OF UNITY, RUSSIA'S POLITICAL LEADERS HAVE  
SHARPLY CONDEMNED AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ.  VOA'S PETER HEINLEIN 
REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT:  IT WAS A DAY OF ANGER AND FRUSTRATION AT THE FAILURE OF 
DIPLOMACY TO PREVENT MILITARY ACTION AGAINST ONE OF MOSCOW'S 
TRADITIONAL ALLIES.

PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SET THE TONE. IN A STATEMENT, HE 
EXPRESSED DISMAY AND CALLED THE ATTACKS A "FLAGRANT VIOLATION" OF
THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER. 

PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV TOLD REPORTERS HE WAS OUTRAGED 
THE AIR STRIKES CAME JUST AS THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL WAS 
DISCUSSING IRAQ.

THE DUMA, OR LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED A 
RESOLUTION CALLING THE ATTACKS A BARBARIC ACT OF INTERNATIONAL 
TERRORISM.  LAWMAKERS SAY THE USE OF FORCE AGAINST IRAQ HAS 
RUINED HOPES THE DUMA MIGHT SOON RATIFY THE "START-TWO" ARMS 
REDUCTION TREATY. 

IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, SMALL GROUPS OF DEMONSTRATORS SHOWED UP 
OUTSIDE THE U-S EMBASSY IN MOSCOW TO VOICE SUPPORT FOR IRAQI 
PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN AND SHOUT ANTI-AMERICAN SLOGANS. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/PFH/PCF

17-Dec-98 12:34 PM EST (1734 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.