IRAQ: RUSSIAN POLITICIAN ZHIRINOVSKY MEETS IRAQI PARLIAMENTARIANS

(12 Feb 1998) Arabic/Eng/Nat

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Russia's extreme-nationalist politician, has been meeting Iraqi parliamentarians to show his support for their stand against the United States.

With air strikes possibly only days away - ordinary Iraqis believe that the U-S simply wants to destroy their country.

In a sign that military action could be imminent, the United Nations on Thursday advised all relief workers on leave from jobs in Iraq not to return, in order to keep them out of harm's way.

At the beginning of his first full day in Baghdad - Russian ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky headed for the Iraqi National Assembly for a meeting with Iraqi politicians.

It is not his first visit - he has been here before when Iraq has faced American air strikes.

He has come to protest against American intervention in the Middle East and to give his support to the Iraqi authorities.

His presence was welcomed by the Speaker of the Iraq's National Assembly - who echoed Zhirinovsky's stance in the time of crisis.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"The United States is not looking for the truth. They just want to insult and dominate Iraq and send a message to all the countries in the world that it is only the will of America that counts."
SUPER CAPTION: Sadoun Hamadi, Speaker of Iraqi Parliament

While the Russian government has officially said it is against the United States taking action against Iraq - Zhirinovsky has gone much further.

He has called on Moscow to offer military support to Baghdad in the event of an American air strike.

In the streets of the Iraqi capital, the situation appears normal.

Most Iraqis only learn about the latest developments through the official newspapers or state television.

But they are convinced the latest confrontation with the United Nations is just a cover for America's wider plans.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"When the Iraqi Government complies with whatever the U-N requests them to do, they find something else to demand. It is quite clear that America wants to attack our country."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

However there is also some optimism.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"America wants to destroy Iraq. No matter what it will take, America wants to demolish Iraq. But it is God's will that this great country will not be destroyed."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

The United Nations weapons inspectors are going about their business as usual, departing early morning for inspections at sensitive sites - though not at any of the Presidential palaces.

But the organisation has advised all relief workers on leave from jobs in Iraq not to return.

The U-N spokesman in Baghdad said on Thursday that the organisation is being ever more cautious with its people in Iraq.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"First of all, it is just a fact that our operations are already affected to a limited extent by the current situation. Because of the uncertainty, observers in central and southern Iraq are limited to day trips from Baghdad and we do have a few less bodies to man in the entire operation."
SUPER CAPTION: Eric Falt, UN Spokesman

The latest step affects about a quarter of workers with the U-N aid programme in Iraq.

Their work is separate from that of the weapons inspectors - but it does appear to be one more sign that the international community is preparing for the worst to happen in the next few days.

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