DATE=12/3/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223626
TITLE=IRAQ/COUNCIL (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS CALLED FOR FULL ACCESS TO
SUSPECTED WEAPONS FACILITIES IN IRAQ AND URGED STEPPING UP THE
PACE OF DISARMAMENT IN THE COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT ELAINE
JOHANSON REPORTS THE COUNCIL ISSUED A STATEMENT (WEDNESDAY)
ENDORSING RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE U-N
SPECIAL COMMISSION FOR IRAQ NEARLY TWO-WEEKS AGO.
TEXT: IRAQ IS STILL KEEPING WHAT IT CONSIDERS SENSITIVE SITES
OFF-LIMITS FOR THE INSPECTORS. SECURITY COUNCIL DIPLOMATS
BELIEVE THE TURNING-POINT COULD COME WHEN SPECIAL COMMISSION
CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER VISITS BAGHDAD THIS MONTH. THE TRIP,
ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR THIS WEEKEND, HAS BEEN PUT OFF FOR AT
LEAST A WEEK AT THE REQUEST OF IRAQI OFFICIALS.
MEANWHILE, U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON WELCOMED THE COUNCIL'S
DEMAND FOR FULL ACCESS:
// RICHARDSON ACT //
RIGHT NOW THE COUNCIL IS UNITED IN PUSHING IRAQ TO
COMPLY WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS...SO THIS IS A VERY GOOD
INTERIM STEP AND WE ARE PLEASED WITH WHAT HAPPENED.
// END ACT //
IN THE WAKE OF IRAQ'S OCTOBER 29TH BAN AND SUBSEQUENT EXPULSION
OF AMERICANS -- WHO ARE NOW BACK IN IRAQ -- THE SPECIAL
COMMISSION PROPOSED ADDING MORE NON-AMERICAN INSPECTORS TO THE
U-N TEAMS. IT ALSO RECOMMENDED GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE THEM WITH
MORE TECHNICAL SUPPORT -- WITH A VIEW TO CLOSING CERTAIN WEAPONS
FILES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
BUT, NO REAL PROGRESS IS ANTICIPATED UNTIL IRAQ LETS THE
INSPECTORS RUMMAGE THROUGH SADDAM HUSSEIN'S PALATIAL RESIDENCES.
THE SPECIAL COMMISSION SUSPECTS IRAQ MAY BE HIDING BANNED
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL MATERIAL AT SOME OF THOSE SITES.
THE COUNCIL STATEMENT STRESSED THE EFFECTIVENESS AND SPEED WITH
WHICH THE COMMISSION DOES ITS WORK DEPEND ON THE DEGREE OF
COOPERATION IN BAGHDAD. IT CONCEDES IRAQ'S SOVEREIGNTY AND
NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, BUT ONLY
TO THE EXTENT THEY DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE INSPECTIONS.
//REST OPT//
IRAQ HAS BEEN UNDER A STRICT ECONOMIC EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED
KUWAIT IN 1990. A BAN ON OIL SALES CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL THE
SPECIAL COMMISSION CERTIFIES IRAQ NO LONGER HAS WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION OR THE CAPACITY FOR RE-BUILDING THEM. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
03-Dec-97 2:47 PM EST (1947 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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