ACCESSION NUMBER:295372 FILE ID:TXT105 DATE:07/19/93 TITLE:IRAQ MUST ALLOW WEAPONS MONITORING (07/19/93) TEXT:*93071905.TXT IRAQ MUST ALLOW WEAPONS MONITORING (VOA Editorial) (410) (Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America July 19, reflecting the views of the U.S. government.) Much has been done to destroy or disable Iraqi weapons of mass destruction since the end of the Persian Gulf war two years ago. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs, Robert Gallucci, said recently that the International Atomic Energy Agency has sought to deter any efforts by Iraq to regenerate its nuclear weapons program. Gallucci said that 20 nuclear-related inspections since April 1991 "have forced Iraq to disclose, destroy, or render harmless all of the major nuclear weapons facilities and equipment that we are aware of, including several enrichment sites, research facilities, and weapons design facilities." Also there is currently in Iraq a U.N. chemical-destruction group, which is destroying thousands of chemical munitions. Other inspection teams have been sent to monitor Iraqi missile development. Despite such progress, Iraq still represents a potential threat. Iraq retains skilled personnel and a basic industrial capability to support programs to develop weapons of mass destruction. U.N. Security Council Resolution 687 prohibits Iraq from developing such weapons or the missiles to deliver them. U.N. Security Council Resolution 715 reasserted the need for long-term monitoring and inspections. The United States believes that Iraq will continue to test the U.N. resolve to persevere in its inspections. In the past, Iraq has used such tactics as delaying or refusing access to sites, denying information and harassing inspectors. Most recently, Iraq has prevented U.N. arms inspectors from sealing two missile testing sites. Earlier, Iraq barred a U.N. team from installing cameras at these sites to allow monitoring. In response, Vice President Al Gore said that Saddam Hussein "should understand very clearly that he cannot trifle with the world community where these inspections are concerned." Vice President Gore said the United Nations could ask Iraq to destroy the missile testing facilities if it will not allow the inspections. Gore said that if Saddam Hussein "will not do that, the United Nations could consider a range of options, one of which could include the use of force against those facilities." As President Bill Clinton has made clear, "the United States will continue to lead international efforts aimed at ensuring that the Iraqi regime does not threaten international peace and security." NNNN .
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