DATE= 10/7/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-220944
TITLE=IRAQ/NEW REPORT (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR FOR IRAQ SAYS BAGHDAD IS
STILL IMPEDING THE SEARCH FOR BANNED MATERIALS AND THE SECURITY
COUNCIL SHOULD INSIST ON ITS COOPERATION. AUSTRALIAN DIPLOMAT,
RICHARD BUTLER, HAS SUBMITTED HIS FIRST REPORT TO THE SECURITY
COUNCIL SINCE HE TOOK OVER IN JULY FROM ROLF EKEUS OF SWEDEN.
CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON HAS DETAILS.
TEXT: AMBASSADOR BUTLER'S REPORT NOTES SERIOUS GAPS IN IRAQ'S
ACCOUNTING OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS. LAST MONTH, BAGHDAD
SUBMITTED WHAT IT CALLED A FINAL AND FULL ACCOUNT OF THE BANNED
ARMS. BUT EXPERTS FROM 13 COUNTRIES -- AFTER STUDYING THE
DOCUMENT -- AGREED IT WAS NOT CREDIBLE.
AMBASSADOR BUTLER POINTS TO A PATTERN OF IRAQI INTERFERENCE WITH
INSPECTIONS SINCE JUNE -- NOTABLY BLOCKING ACCESS TO CERTAIN
FACILITIES. HE SAYS HE ALSO HAS EVIDENCE THE IRAQIS DESTROYED
MATERIAL AND DOCUMENTS AT SO-CALLED SENSITIVE SITES UNDER
INSPECTION.
IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ WAS MENTIONED PROMINENTLY
IN THE NEW REPORT AS IMPEDING THE WORK OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION
CHARGED WITH ELIMINATING IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. IN
ONE CASE, MR. AZIZ IS SAID TO HAVE REFUSED TO LET THE COMMISSION
LAND A HELICOPTER AT RASHEED AIRBASE. LAST MONTH, THE IRAQI
OFFICIAL REPORTEDLY INSTRUCTED HIS EXPERTS NOT TO ANSWER
QUESTIONS RELATED TO MISSILES.
MR. AZIZ FACES A POSSIBLE TRAVEL BAN AS PART OF NEW SANCTIONS THE
SECURITY COUNCIL, IN JUNE, AGREED TO CONSIDER IF IRAQ CONTINUES
TO INTERFERE WITH THE INSPECTIONS. IRAQ HAS BEEN UNDER A TOTAL
TRADE EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990.
/// REST OPT ///
ACCORDING TO THE LATEST REPORT, IRAQ HAS ACCOUNTED FOR ALL BUT
TWO OF THE LONG-RANGE MISSILES IT IMPORTED UNTIL 1988. THE
SPECIAL COMMISSION ALSO NOTES SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON CHEMICAL
WEAPONS. BUT IT IS LOOKING FOR MISSILE WARHEADS CAPABLE OF
CARRYING CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
07-Oct-97 12:52 PM EDT (1652 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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