DATE= 11/20/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223026
TITLE=IRAQ THURSDAY WRAP (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-N CRISIS WITH IRAQ SEEMS TO SUBSIDING, AS THE
SPECIAL COMMISSION DISARMING IRAQ PREPARES TO RESUME WEAPONS
INSPECTIONS -- WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF AMERICANS. V-O-A
CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:
TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL FORMALLY REVIEWED AND APPROVED AN
OFFICIAL LETTER FROM BAGHDAD INVITING THE INSPECTORS TO RESUME
THEIR WORK. SPECIAL COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER SAYS THE
U-N TEAMS SHOULD BE BACK IN BAGHDAD FRIDAY (AROUND NOON, LOCAL
TIME):
//BUTLER ACT//
I'M SATISFIED WITH THESE DECISIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF
IRAQ. WE'LL GO BACK NOW AND GET BACK TO WORK. AND I
HONESTLY HOPE OUR WORK WILL FOLLOW A NORMAL PATTERN AND
BE MARKED BY COOPERATION AND PROGRESS IN DISARMAMENT
//END ACT//
U-N OFFICIALS ARE RELIEVED THE CRISIS DID NOT ESCALATE INTO
MILITARY CONFRONTATION. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CALLED IT A
VICTORY FOR DIPLOMACY.
U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN -- PAYING A COURTESY CALL ON
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL THURSDAY -- SAID AMERICAN FORCES WOULD
REMAIN IN THE GULF BUT PROBABLY WOULD NOT NEED TO BE STRENGTHENED
FURTHER (BEYOND ALREADY-ISSUED DEPLOYMENT ORDERS):
//COHEN ACT//
AS YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT SENT TO
THE REGION. I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT THAT WOULD MAKE A
SUFFICIENT COMPLEMENT THAT WE HAVE IN THE REGION FOR THE
TIME BEING. AFTER TODAY, I WOULD NOT SEE THE NEED FOR
ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT OR ASSETS UNLESS THE
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CENTRAL COMMAND SHOULD REQUIRE
IT.
//END ACT//
STILL, A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY REMAINS. DIPLOMATS ARE ASSUMING A
WATCHFUL POSE. THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS DEMANDING FULL ACCESS TO
ALL SUSPECTED WEAPONS FACILITIES. BAGHDAD CONSIDERS SOME SITES
OFF-LIMITS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY REASONS AND HAS REPEATEDLY
BLOCKED ENTRY. THE SPECIAL COMMISSION BELIEVES IRAQ WAS HIDING
BANNED MATERIAL IN THOSE AREAS.
ALSO, IRAQ CONTINUES TO BE SUSPICIOUS OF AMERICAN-PILOTED U-N
SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS. IRAQ'S U-N AMBASSADOR SAYS BAGHDAD'S
POSITION REMAINS THE SAME, WHICH IS THAT THE U-2 PLANES ARE ON
SPYING MISSIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES. BUT NO NEW THREATS HAVE
BEEN ISSUED TO SHOOT THEM DOWN.
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IS HOLDING AN
ALL-DAY MEETING FRIDAY TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATED TO THE
INSPECTIONS. BAGHDAD WANTS THE U-N TEAMS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE
MORE REPRESENTATIVES FROM COUNTRIES IT CONSIDERS SYMPATHETIC TO
ITS GRIEVANCES.
THE UNITED STATES WARNED AGAIN ON THURSDAY AGAINST PLAYING
POLITICS WITH THE COMPOSITION OF THE TEAMS. THIS LATEST CRISIS
BEGAN WHEN BAGHDAD ORDERED THE EXPUSLION OF ALL AMERICANS ON
OCTOBER 29TH. IT CARRIED OUT ITS THREAT LAST WEEK, PROMPTING THE
SPECIAL COMMISSION TO PULL OUT ALL THE INSPECTORS. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/RRM
20-Nov-97 5:56 PM EST (2256 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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