DATE= 11/12/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222559
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N VOTE (L)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING IRAQ'S OBSTRUCTION OF U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTIONS AND PUTTING NEW TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON THOSE
RESPONSIBLE. IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, TARIQ AZIZ -- WHO HAS
BEEN IN NEW YORK SINCE MONDAY -- DECIDED NOT TO ATTEND THE
DEBATE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.
TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL LEFT BAGHDAD ROOM TO BACK OFF
(RETREAT). IT PROMISED THE NEW TRAVEL SANCTIONS WOULD BE LIFTED
ONE DAY AFTER THE SPECIAL COMMISSION DISARMING IRAQ REPORTS THE
INSPECTIONS ARE RESUMING WITHOUT IMPEDIMENT AND WITHOUT
CONDITIONS.
BUT THE COUNCIL UNEQUIVOCALLY REJECTED IRAQ'S ORDER TO EXPEL
AMERICANS ON THE INSPECTION TEAMS AND SHOOT DOWN U-S PILOTED
SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS. EVEN EGYPT -- THE COUNCIL'S ONLY ARAB
MEMBER -- SUPPORTED THE RESOLUTION AFTER REJECTING A TRAVEL BAN
LAST MONTH. EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR NABIL ELARABY EXPLAINED IRAQ IS
ACTING AGAINST ITS OWN INTERESTS.
HOWEVER -- SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER -- HE APPEALED FOR
MORE DIPLOMACY.
//INTREPRETOR ACT//
IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THE DIALOGUE WILL CONTINUE, THAT THE
USE OF DIPLOMATIC MEANS WILL CONTINUE AND IT IS OUR HOPE
THAT NORMAL RELATIONS WOULD BE RESUMED BETWEEN IRAQ AND
THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IN A MANNER THAT WOULD ENABLE THE
COUNCIL TO CONSIDER LIFTING THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON THE
IRAQI PEOPLE.
//END ACT//
FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA -- SYMPATHETIC TO IRAQ'S CASE AGAINST
SANCTIONS -- ALSO OPTED FOR COUNCIL UNITY IN THIS NEW STAND-OFF
WITH BAGHDAD.
IRAQ HAS BEEN UNDER A STRICT ECONOMIC EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED
KUWAIT IN 1990. THE COUNCIL CANNOT EASE THE MEASURES UNTIL THE
SPECIAL COMMISSION CERTIFIES IRAQ NO LONGER HAS WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION.
U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON CALLED THE VOTE A STRONG SIGNAL
THAT BAGHDAD'S BEHAVIOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. AFTER THE
MEETING, HE TOLD REPORTERS IT'S NOT OVER YET.
//RICHARDSON ACT//
THE CRISIS WITH IRAQ IS NOT OVER. THE END-GAME IS THE
RE-OPENING UNCONDITIONALLY OF UNSCOM (THE U-N INSPECTION
COMMISSION). THIS IS NOT A RESOLUTION ABOUT JUST TRAVEL
SANCTIONS. THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN UNITED. THE
MESSAGE HAS BEEN CLEAR. IRAQ MUST COMPLY OR FACE
CONSEQUENCES.
//END ACT//
THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION DOES NOT THREATEN IRAQ WITH MILITARY
ACTION, ONLY UNSPECIFIED FURTHER MEASURES IF IT FAILS TO
COOPERATE. BUT WASHINGTON APPARENTLY IS KEEPING ALL OPTIONS
OPEN. AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON SAID THE UNITED STATES IS NOT RULING
OUT ANYTHING. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/RRM
12-Nov-97 3:29 PM EST (2029 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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