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22 December 1997

TEXT: SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT ON IRAQ WEAPONS INSPECTIONS

(UNSC demands UNSCOM get full access to Iraq sites) (600)
United Nations -- The Security Council said December 22 that Iraq's
failure to provide U.N. weapons inspectors with immediate,
unconditional access to any site in Iraq "is unacceptable and a clear
violation" of U.N. resolutions.
Issuing a presidential statement at a formal meeting, the council
expressed its full support of the weapons inspectors and reminded Iraq
that the quicker the U.N. can gain access to all weapons-related
sites, the quicker the sanctions will be lifted.
"The council reiterates its demand that the Government of Iraq
cooperate fully with the Special Commission ... (and) allow the
Special Commission inspection teams immediate, unconditional access to
any and all areas, facilities, equipment, records, and means of
transportation which they wish to inspect..," the statement said.
The council's statement was in response to a report from the chairman
of the Special Commission overseeing the destruction of Iraqi weapons
(UNSCOM), Richard Butler, on December 18 that Iraq absolutely refuses
to allow U.N. weapons inspectors into a large number of sites Baghdad
calls "sovereign or presidential sites."
Butler said that he has reason to believe that Iraq may be hiding
items related to the banned chemical, biological and ballistic weapons
at the presidential sites that have been declared off-limits to U.N.
weapons inspectors.
Butler, who returned from meetings in Baghdad earlier in December,
also told the council that Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz
rejected his offer to work out special arrangements that would take
into account Iraq's legitimate security and sovereignty concerns about
U.N. inspections in such areas.
Following is the text of the council's statement:
(Begin text)
The Security Council has considered the report of 18 December 1997
from the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Special Commission
(S/1997/987) on his discussions with officials of the Government of
Iraq, which took place in Baghdad 12 to 16 December 1997.
The Security Council recalls all its relevant resolutions, including
resolution 1137 (1997), and the statement of its President on 3
December 1997. The Council reiterates its demand that the Government
of Iraq cooperate fully wit the Special Commission in accordance with
all relevant resolutions and that the Government of Iraq allow the
Special Commission inspection teams immediate, unconditional access to
any and all areas, facilities, equipment, records and means of
transportation which they wish to inspect in accordance with the
mandate of the Special Commission.
The Security Council stresses that failure by the Government of Iraq
to provide the Special Commission with immediate, unconditional access
to any site or category of sites is unacceptable and a clear violation
of the relevant resolutions.
The Security Council expresses its full support for the Special
Commission and its Executive Chairman, including in his ongoing
discussions with officials of the Government of Iraq. The Council
acknowledges that discussions are continuing on practical arrangements
for implementation of all its relevant resolutions. The Council
reiterates that the effectiveness and speed with which the Special
Commission may accomplish its responsibilities is, above all,
determined by the degree to which the Government of Iraq cooperates in
disclosing the full extent and disposition of its proscribed
programmes and in granting the Special Commission unimpeded access to
all sites, documents, records, and individuals. The Council calls upon
the Government of Iraq to cooperate fully with the Special Commission
in the implementation of its mandate.
The Security Council will remain actively seized of the matter.
(End text)