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29 October 1997

RICHARDSON WARNS IRAQ TO COOPERATE WITH UN ARMS INSPECTORS

(Says Iraq continues to violate UN Resolutions ) (340)
By Wendy Lubetkin
USIA European Correspondent
Geneva -- Iraq will face "grave consequences" if it suspends
cooperation with United Nations arms inspectors, U.S. Ambassador to
the United Nations Bill Richardson said October 29.
"There would be very negative consequences for Iraq if they continue
this pattern of obfuscation -- and of disobeying United Nations
Security Council resolutions, which they must abide by," Richardson
said.
The ambassador spoke at a news conference in Geneva during a brief
stop while returning to the United States following his visit to
Africa.
He pointed out, however, that the Iraqi parliament's recommendation to
end cooperation with UN arms control inspectors does not take effect
unless the Iraqi leadership endorses it.
Iraq's parliament recommended October 27 that the Iraqi government end
its cooperation with the UN Special Commission as a reaction to an
October 23 Security Council resolution that threatens to restrict
travel by some Iraqi officials and military.
"I think its another instance where Iraq shows its pattern of evasion,
of failing to respect the international community's will, and
continues to violate United Nations Security Council resolutions,"
Richardson said.
Asked whether the United States would take unilateral action against
Iraq if it moves to end cooperation with the commission, Richardson
said: "Let me just say that I think Iraq will face grave consequences
from the international community."
Richardson said he believes there is still strong solidarity among
Security Council members to ensure Iraqi compliance. He noted that the
text of the October 23 resolution is "even stronger" than the
resolution passed by the council in June.
"It is stronger in terms of substance, in terms of modalities, in
terms of eliminating reviews for Iraq in the sanctions process, in
terms of the listing of Iraqis who would face travel sanctions. It is
a strong resolution. The reason Iraq doesn't like it is because it is
strong."