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DATE=  11/22/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223092
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N (L)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS ROBERTS
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS, INCLUDING U-S CITIZENS, RESUMED 
THEIR MISSION IN IRAQ SATURDAY, AFTER THE BAGHDAD GOVERNMENT 
RESCINDED ITS DECISION TO EXPEL THE AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE U-N 
COMMISSION.  THE INSPECTORS ARE REVIVING ATTEMPTS TO VERIFY THE 
ELIMINATION OF IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AS WE HEAR 
FROM MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS.
TEXT:  SIX TEAMS OF U-N INSPECTORS SET OUT FROM THEIR BAGHDAD 
HEADQUARTERS EARLY SATURDAY ON SEPARATE MISSIONS TO IRAQI WEAPONS
SITES.
U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE TEAMS ENCOUNTERED  NO  PROBLEMS AS THEY 
RESUMED THEIR WORK.  IRAQ'S OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY ECHOED THE 
COMMENT, SAYING THE INSPECTIONS ARE PROCEEDING NORMALLY, WITH 
IRAQI OFFICIALS OFFERING THE U-N TEAMS ALL NECESSARY FACILITIES 
TO COMPLETE THEIR TASK.
THERE HAS BEEN  NO  WORD ON THE DETAILS OF SATURDAY'S 
INSPECTIONS.  BUT U-N OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK SAID EARLIER THAT THE
MAIN FOCUS NOW IS ON IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS.
THE INSPECTORS ARE TRYING TO VERIFY IRAQ'S CLAIMS TO HAVE 
DESTROYED ALL ITS STOCKS OF TOXINS AND GASES, INCLUDING THE 
MUSTARD GAS USED REPEATEDLY BY IRAQI FORCES DURING THE WAR 
AGAINST IRAN.      
MEANWHILE IN NEW YORK, THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS MEETING SATURDAY 
TO DISCUSS A REPORT FROM THE WEAPONS COMMISSION ON WAYS TO 
ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INSPECTIONS.
ONE PROPOSAL REPORTEDLY UNDER DISCUSSION CALLS FOR INCREASING THE
NUMBER OF INSPECTORS.  THAT WOULD EFFECTIVELY DECREASE THE U-S 
ROLE IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  BUT SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE
ALBRIGHT TOLD REPORTERS IN CANADA FRIDAY THAT AMERICANS MUST 
CONTINUE TO MAKE UP A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE U-N COMMISSION.
U-S OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN STRESSING THAT THERE WILL BE  NO  LIFTING
OF THE U-N ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ UNTIL BAGHDAD HAS 
COMPLIED WITH ALL THE SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS, FORMULATED IN 
RESPONSE TO THE IRAQI INVASION OF KUWAIT SEVEN YEARS AGO.
AND WASHINGTON SAYS IT WILL MAINTAIN A REINFORCED MILITARY 
PRESENCE IN THE GULF REGION UNTIL IRAQ IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. (SIGNED) 
NEB/DBR/DW
22-Nov-97 8:14 AM EST (1314 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.