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29 October 1997

TEXT: RUBIN STATEMENT, IRAQI REGIME ANNOUNCEMENT ON UNSCOM

(American weapons inspectors not permitted to carry out duties) (400)
Washington -- State Department Spokesman James P. Rubin called
"unacceptable" the announcement October 29 by the Iraqi regime that
U.N. personnel who are U.S. citizens will no longer be permitted to
carry out their mandated duties in Iraq as members of the U.N. Special
Commission (UNSCOM).
Rubin said in a statement that the United States is currently
discussing this "serious challenge with our allies and others of the
UNSC. But, as a challenge to the Security Council's authority, this
action has potentially grave consequences."
Following is the text of Rubin's statement:
(Begin text)
U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
October 29, 1997
STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN, SPOKESMAN
Today the Iraqi regime declared that U.N. personnel who are U.S.
citizens will no longer be permitted to carry out their mandated
duties in Iraq as members of the U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM). The
Iraqi regime also announced that it would ask for a change in the
deployment of U.N. aircraft.
This action is unacceptable. It is a blatant rejection of U.N.
Security Council calls for Iraqi compliance with Security Council
resolutions, particularly with respect to the U.N. Special
Commission's mandate to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. This
call was recently reaffirmed by resolutions 1113 and 1134.
The Iraqi regime's statement is more than a refusal to comply with
UNSC resolutions and to cooperate fully with UNSCOM. It is an attack
on the very fundamentals of the U.N. system and in particular on
UNSCOM's responsibility to carry out its mandate from the Security
Council as the Commission deems appropriate.
We are currently discussing this serious challenge with our allies and
others of the UNSC. But, as a challenge to the Security Council's
authority, this action has potentially grave consequences.
This is not the first time Iraq has tried to interfere with U.N.
personnel and aircraft. Iraq cannot dictate to UNSCOM how it will
carry out its mandate. Effective inspection requires that UNSCOM
conduct its activities as it decides. Iraq bears the responsibility
for the safety and security of U.N. personnel and must permit them to
carry out their mandate and mission effectively.
(End text)