IRAQIS WAVE TO FAITHFUL LEAVING FOR THE HAJ, 2000-02-29 (photo)

Iraqi men wave at those leaving for Saudi Arabia February 29 en route to the annual Moslem Haj pilgrimage. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has come up with new proposals to get money to Iraqis wishing to make the Moslem pilgrimage to Mecca, but diplomats expect Baghdad to object to them again. The Security Council, which will discuss the issue on Tuesday, has exempted travel to Saudi Arabia for the annual haj observance from stringent sanctions imposed on Iraq in August 1990 when its troops invaded Kuwait. It has attempted in past years to use revenues from Iraqi oil sales to help poor Iraqis make the trip to holy sites in Mecca by suggesting that the Red Crescent or another third party distribute some $50 million in revenues, or $2,000 a person. CLH/