DATE= 11/22/97 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-223103 TITLE=IRAQ / BUTLER (L) BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION RESPONSIBLE FOR DISARMING IRAQ HAS RECOMMENDED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL (SATURDAY) INCREASING NON-AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE U-N INSPECTION TEAMS WITHOUT ACTUALLY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS ON THE TEAMS. BUT AFTER A LONG EMERGENCY SESSION THAT ENDED IN THE EARLY HOURS SATURDAY, THE COMMISSION'S ADVISORY BOARD TURNED DOWN OTHER PROPOSALS BY RUSSIA, WHICH BROKERED THE ACCORD THAT ENDED THE IRAQI-U-N WEAPONS CRISIS. VOA'S ELAINE JOHANSON HAS THIS REPORT. TEXT: THE RUSSIANS WERE EAGER TO CLOSE IRAQ'S NUCLEAR FILE AND SET A DATE FOR DISCONTINUING THE SEARCH FOR BANNED MISSILES. THE SPECIAL COMMISSION HELD OUT HOPE FOR AN EARLY RESOLUTION OF THE NUCLEAR QUESTION, BUT DECIDED TO LEAVE ALL FILES OPEN FOR THE TIME BEING. AND IT NOTED THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUE REMAINS IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CAPABILITY. THE COMMISSION ALSO CALLED ON BAGHDAD TO STOIP CONCEALING BANNED MATERIAL AND GIVE U-N INSPECTORS FULL AND IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO ALL FACILITIES. IT ALSO RECOMMENDED ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY TO FACILITATE THE COMMISSION'S WORK, AS WELL AS MORE SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS. IRAQ HAS TAKEN ISSUE WITH AMERICAN-PILOTED U-2 PLANES THAT OPERATE IN SUPPORT OF THE GEROUND INSPECTIONS. U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON HAILED THE COMMISSION'S REPORT AS BALANCED AND SAID IT SENT A STRONG MESSAGE TO BAGHDAD TO COOPERATE FULLY. HE ALSO WARNED AGAINST FURTHER IRAQI DEFIANCE: // RICHARDSON ACT // THE CRISIS HAS EASED, BUT IT'S NOT OVER. IRAQ MAY TRY ANOTHER TRICK AGAIN SOON. BUT THIS IS A DEVASTATING REPORT FOR IRAQ. THEY TRY TO DIVIDE THE COUNCIL. THE TRY TO POLITICIZE UNSCOM (SPECIAL COMMISSION). THAT HASN'T HAPPENED. WHAT IT SHOWS, THOUGH, IS THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT IRAQ COMPLIES. // END ACT // AT THE SAME TIME, AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON PRAISED RUSSIAN DIPLOMACY THAT RESULTED IN THE RETURN OF ALL INSPECTORS TO BAGHDAD. IRAQ'S EXPULSION OF THE AMERICANS MORE THAN A WEEK AGO PROMPTED THE SPECIAL COMMISSION TO PULL OUT ITS ENTIRE TEAM IN PROTEST. RUSSIA'S U-N AMBASSADOR SERGEI LAVROV SAID HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE COMMISSION'S REPORT AND DISMISSED QUESTIONS ABOUT RUSSIA'S FAILURE TO GET EVERYTHING IT WANTED. HE EMPHASIZED THAT NO ONE LOSES BY THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION -- ESPECIALLY IRAQ. // LAVROV ACT // THERE ARE QUITE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH I BELIEVE ARE VERY USEFUL NOT ONLY FOR THE SPECIAL COMMISSION ITSELF, BUT FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND FOR THE IRAQIS BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING THIS MONITORING PHASE RUNNING SUCCESSFULLY. SO I DON'T THINK ANYTHING BACKFIRED. EVERYTHING IS FIRING FORWARD AND WE ARE PROPELLING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. // END ACT // THE RUSSIANS HAD WANTED THE COUNCIL TO ISSUE A FORMAL STATEMENT CALLING FOR SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO CARRY THROUGH ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS. BUT MEMBERS DECIDED TO HOLD OFF AND DISCUSS THE COMMISSION'S REPORT AGAIN ON MONDAY. (SIGNED) NEB/EJ/EH-T 22-Nov-97 3:46 PM EST (2046 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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