DATE=1/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225396
TITLE=RUSSIAN SPY PLANES/IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS RUSSIA SPY PLANES WILL NOT
REPLACE THE AMERICAN U-2 AIRCRAFT THAT FLY OVER IRAQ ON U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. MOSCOW OFFERED ITS OWN PLANES AS IRAQ
CONTINUES TO INSIST THAT THE U-2'S ARE SPYING FOR WASHINGTON.
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:
TEXT: THE RUSSIAN OFFER IS SEEN AS AN EFFORT TO BREAK THE LOGJAM
OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS, AS IRAQ INSISTS THAT AMERICAN
PARTICIPATION BE REDUCED.
THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH DISARMING IRAQ IS TRYING
TO MEET SOME OF IRAQ'S CONCERNS. DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR CHARLES
DUELFFER SAYS THE RUSSIAN OFFER MAY BE ACCEPTED. BUT HE ADDS THE
U-2'S ARE VALUABLE AIRCRAFT IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS
AND WILL NOT BE ELIMINATED:
//DUELFFER ACT//
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE U-2
AIRCRAFT. WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT AIRCRAFT THE
RUSSIANS RE IN FACT PROPOSING, WHAT TYPE OF SENSORS
WOULD BE PUT ON IT. WE DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS
IS. BUT IN ANY CASE, IT WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THAT
CAPABILITY.
//END ACT//
THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS DEMANDED THAT IRAQ COOPERATE FULLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WITH THE INSPECTIONS. HOWEVER, THE COUNCIL IS
NOT ABOUT TO START MICRO-MANAGING THE INSPECTION EFFORT. THIS
GIVES THE SPECIAL COMMISSION SOME ROOM FOR MANEUVER WITHOUT
COMPROMISING ITS AUTHORITY.
THE AMERICANS WILL STAY, BUT A FEW CHINESE AND MORE RUSSIAN
EXPERTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE TEAMS. THIS AIMS AT SATISFYING
IRAQ'S COMPLAINT THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY AMERICAN AND BRITISH
INSPECTORS.
WHATEVER ADJUSTMENTS COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER MAKES
AFTER HIS TALKS IN BAGHDAD NEXT WEEK -- U-N OFFICIALS ARE QUICK
TO POINT OUT THAT THE REAL ISSUE IS FULL ACCESS TO ALL SUSPECTED
WEAPONS SITES, NOT WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE INSPECTION PROGRAM.
//REST OPT//
IRAQ IS UNDER AN ECONOMIC EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED KUWAIT IN
1990. THE SANCTIONS CANNOT COME OFF UNTIL THE COMMISSION
CERTIFIES IRAQ HAS NO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION OR THE CAPACITY
TO REBUILD THEM. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
16-Jan-98 2:33 PM EST (1933 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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