DATE=12/16/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-243074 TITLE=IRAQ / U-N INSPECTORS (L UPDATE) BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB DATELINE=CAIRO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN HAS MET WITH THE RULING REVOLUTIONARY COMMAND COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE SUDDEN DEPARTURE OF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS EARLIER IN THE DAY. V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS A U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS ALL U-N STAFF HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO LEAVE IRAQ FOLLOWING A REPORT BY THE CHIEF INSPECTOR THAT IRAQ HAS NOT BEEN COOPERATING WITH HIS STAFF. TEXT: AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT SAID THE IRAQI PRESIDENT DISCUSSED MEASURES NEEDED TO CONFRONT WHAT WAS TERMED THE AMERICAN AND BRITISH AGGRESSION, WHICH IT SAID HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR A LONG TIME. THE MEETING FOLLOWED THE RAPID DEPARTURE WEDNESDAY OF THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS AND REPORTS THAT OTHER U-N STAFF IN IRAQ ALSO HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO LEAVE. THE EVACUATION ORDER CAME A FEW HOURS AFTER CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER ISSUED A REPORT SAYING IRAQI OFFICIALS HAD ENSURED THAT THE INSPECTORS MADE NO PROGRESS IN THE U-N PROGRAM TO ELIMINATE IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL PROMISED IF IRAQ COOPERATED FULLY, IT WOULD UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE DISARMAMENT PROGRAM. IRAQ HOPES SUCH A REVIEW WILL LEAD TO AN END TO CRIPPLING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. MR. BUTLER LAST WEEK NOTED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHEN HIS INSPECTORS WERE HINDERED IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK, BUT IRAQ HAD ALLOWED MOST INSPECTIONS TO GO ON. AS A RESULT, THE CRITICAL TONE OF THE REPORT SURPRISED SOME OFFICIALS. IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ CALLED MR. BUTLER'S REPORT ILL-INTENTIONED AND AIMED AT JUSTIFYING U-S AND BRITISH MILITARY AGGRESSION. THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS HAVE THREATENED TO LAUNCH AIR STRIKES IF IRAQ DOES NOT COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE INSPECTIONS. LAST MONTH, THE U-S GOVERNMENT SAID IT RESERVED THE RIGHT TO STRIKE IRAQ WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE. THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWED A THREE-MONTH STANDOFF OVER THE INSPECTIONS THAT ENDED ONLY WHEN IRAQ AGREED TO RESUME COOPERATION UNDER THE THREAT OF MILITARY STRIKES. (SIGNED) NEB/SB/JWH 16-Dec-98 11:45 AM EST (1645 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
