MEDIA REACTION ON THE U.S., UN AND IRAQ;

UNCLAS HARARE 002316 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER LONDON FOR GURNEY PARIS FOR NEARY NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAO KMDR ZI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE U.S., UN AND IRAQ; HARARE ¶1. Under headline "U.S. drums of war silenced - for now" the government-controlled daily "Chronicle" dedicated its October 21 editorial to applauding the recent United Nations resolution regarding arms inspection in Iraq. Excerpts: ¶2. ". . .While we applaud the new UN resolution that does not call for the automatic use of force against Iraq if it does not meet the terms of the deal, we are, however, concerned that the U.S. is threatening to flout the UN resolution, thus seriously undermining the world body and bringing into question its relevance in world affairs. . . This shows that the U.S. does not feel bound by UN resolutions, and we do not think the world body would be in a position to censure the U.S. in the event of unsanctioned military strikes. . . We believe the step taken by the UN to force the U.S. into backtracking on the threatened use of force against Baghdad is in the right direction since it sends a clear message to countries in the habit of meddling in others' affairs that the world will not tolerate that. . ." SULLIVAN