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DATE=  11/10/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222432
TITLE= BRITAIN / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE= ANDRE DE NESNERA
DATELINE= LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ONCE AGAIN CALLED ON 
SADDAM HUSSEIN TO LET ALL U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS ONTO IRAQI SOIL.
ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.
TEXT:  BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON TOLD REPORTERS 
LONDON RETAINS THE OPTION OF USING MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ 
-- IF SADDAM HUSSEIN REFUSES TO ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO 
GET ON WITH THEIR WORK, UNIMPEDED.
                      // ROBERTSON ACT // 
         THE QUESTION OF MILITARY ACTION HAS  NOT  BEEN RULED 
         OUT.  THE WORLD MUST BE ROBUST IN MAKING SURE THAT 
         SADDAM HUSSEIN DOES  NOT  MISTAKE ANY SIGNAL AT ALL.  
         HIS PROGRAM OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION HAS GOT TO BE
         MONITORED, HAS GOT TO BE CONFRONTED AND HE IS  NOT  
         GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO FLOUT WORLD OPINION.
                         // END ACT // 
BAGHDAD HAS BARRED AMERICANS FROM PARTICIPATING IN U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTIONS TEAMS, ACCUSING THEM OF SPYING -- A CHARGE FLATLY 
DENIED BY THE UNITED STATES.
DURING A STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, THE BRITISH MINISTER 
IN CHARGE OF MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS -- DEREK FATCHETT -- SAID IT IS 
ESSENTIAL FOR THE REGION AND FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD U-N 
INSPECTORS BE ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT THEIR WORK. 
MR. FATCHETT TOLD BRITISH LAWMAKERS IRAQ HAS THE CAPACITY TO 
PRODUCE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND THE U-N TEAM IS CRUCIAL 
TO INSURE ALL THESE WEAPONS ARE DESTROYED.
                      // FATCHETT ACT //  
         THE (BRITISH) GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO STAND AGAINST 
         SADDAM HUSSEIN.  HE IS A DICTATOR WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED A
         TOTAL LACK OF INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF THE IRAQI 
         PEOPLE.  HE HAS SHOWN BY HIS PAST ACTIONS THAT HE IS A 
         THREAT TO REGIONAL PEACE AND TO REGIONAL SECURITY.
                         // END ACT //  
MEANWHILE IN BRUSSELS, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK TOLD 
REPORTERS EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE
SITUATION IN IRAQ.  AFTER MEETING HIS EUROPEAN COUNTERPARTS, MR. 
COOK TOLD REPORTERS IRAQ MUST COMPLY FULLY WITH THE TERMS OF THE 
U-N RESOLUTIONS OUTLINING THE WORK OF WEAPONS INSPECTIONS TEAMS. 
(SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/RAE
10-Nov-97 11:54 AM EST (1654 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.