DATE= 11/3/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222076
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N (L)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS ROBERTS
DATELINE=AMMAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
///// EDS: USE TO COMPLEMENT CORRESPONDENT REPORTS FROM THE
UNITED NATIONS AND/OR WHITE HOUSE. //////
INTRO: THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT MONDAY CARRIED OUT ITS THREAT TO BAR
AMERICAN CITIZENS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE WORK OF THE U-N
COMMISSION OVERSEEING THE ELIMINATION OF BAGHDAD'S WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION. MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN
AMMAN REPORTS ON THE GROWING CRISIS BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED
NATIONS.
TEXT: THREE SEPARATE TEAMS OF U-N INSPECTORS SET OUT FROM THEIR
BAGHDAD HEADQUARTERS EARLY MONDAY TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS INTO
IRAQ'S WEAPONS PROGRAMS. EACH OF THE TEAMS INCLUDED U-S
CITIZENS, IN DEFIANCE OF LAST WEEK'S DECISION BY THE IRAQI
GOVERNMENT.
WHEN THE FIRST TEAM ARRIVED AT ITS DESTINATION, A SUSPECTED
MISSILE PRODUCTION SITE, IT WAS TURNED BACK BY IRAQI OFFICIALS
BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF THE AMERICANS.
THE HEAD OF THE U-N MONITORING MISSION IN BAGHDAD, SWEDISH
GENERAL NILS CARLSTROM, CALLED AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO ALL
INSPECTIONS, PENDING FRESH INSTRUCTIONS FROM U-N HEADQUARTERS IN
NEW YORK.
AMID THE DEEPENING CRISIS, IRAQ'S PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN HAS
CALLED FOR A DIALOGUE. ACCORDING TO THE IRAQI NEWS AGENCY, HE
SUGGESTED A WAY OUT OF THE IMPASSE COULD BE FOUND IF THE U-N WILL
CLEARLY INDICATE WHEN IT WILL LIFT THE CRIPPLING ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS, IMPOSED AFTER IRAQ'S 1990 INVASION OF KUWAIT.
IRAQ MAINTAINS IT HAS ALREADY MET ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE TERMS
OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS CALLING FOR THE ELIMINATION OF
BAGHDAD'S NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS, AS WELL AS
THE DESTRUCTION OF ITS LONG RANGE MISSILES.
BUT THE U-N MISSION CHARGED WITH VERIFYING THE IRAQI CLAIM IS NOT
YET CONVINCED. THE U-N INSPECTORS HAVE REPEATEDLY ACCUSED IRAQ
OF CONCEALING KEY INFORMATION ABOUT ITS WEAPONS PROGRAMS AND
INTERFERING WITH THE WORK OF THE U-N MISSION.
LAST MONTH, THE SECURITY COUNCIL AGAIN THREATENED TO IMPOSE NEW
SANCTIONS, INCLUDING A BAN ON TRAVEL BY IRAQI GOVERNMENT LEADERS,
UNLESS BAGHDAD ALLOWED THE INSPECTIONS TO PROCEED UN-HINDERED.
IT WAS THAT THREAT THAT PROMPTED IRAQ TO BAN U-S CITIZENS FROM
PARTICIPATING IN THE INSPECTIONS.
BAGHDAD HAS LONG BLAMED WASHINGTON FOR THE CONTINUING SANCTIONS.
IRAQI NEWSPAPERS FREQUENTLY ALLEGE THE AMERICANS WORKING WITH THE
U-N MISSION ARE INTELLIGENCE AGENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/PCF/RAE
03-Nov-97 10:28 AM EST (1528 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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