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."
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