Source: Voice of America
DATE=3/3/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-210851
TITLE=IRAQ SANCTIONS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE EXTENT OF IRAQ'S PAST CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS HAS ENSURED A CONTINUATION OF U-N SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ FOLLOWING ITS 1990 INVASION OF KUWAIT. THE SECURITY COUNCIL MONDAY RENEWED ITS COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC EMBARGO FOR THE 36TH TIME. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.
TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL HEARD WHAT DIPLOMATS DESCRIBED AS A GLOOMY REPORT FROM SWEDISH DIPLOMAT ROLF EKEUS -- THE HEAD OF THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION RESPONSIBLE FOR ELIMINATING IRAQ'S POTENTIAL FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. MR. EKEUS TOLD COUNCIL MEMBERS HE IS WORRIED THAT IRAQ POSSIBLY COULD STILL DELIVER CHEMICAL WARHEADS. THE REASON: INSPECTORS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO VERIFY IRAQ'S CLAIM THAT IT DESTROYED ALL ITS SUPPLIES.
MR. EKEUS SAID HE IS OBLIGED TO GATHER PHYSICAL EVIDENCE TO EASE SECURITY COUNCIL CONCERNS THAT BAGHDAD MAY BE HIDING SOME BANNED MATERIAL.
IRAQ BROUGHT US TO SITES OUT IN THE SAND WHERE SUCH DESTRUCTION IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE. BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO QUANTIFY. INDEED, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME RELATED ITEMS -- LIKE SOME PRECURSORS -- DESTROYED. BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO QUANTIFY IF THAT CORRESPONDS TO WHAT IRAQ HAS ACQUIRED.
IRAQ RECENTLY AGREED TO SURRENDER MISSILE ENGINES TO THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION THAT IT SHOULD HAVE GIVEN UP A LONG TIME AGO FOR OUTSIDE ANALYSIS. U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON SAYS IRAQ IS MEETING SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS ONLY UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE.
THIS SESSION SHOWS THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO CONGRATULATIONS TO IRAQ. THEY CONTINUE TO BLOCK UNSCOM'S (U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION) WORK. IRAQ CONTINUES TO BE A THREAT TO PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE REGION. IT TOOK TWO VISITS BY MR. EKEUS. IT TOOK COUNCIL ACTION. AND GETTING IRAQ TO COMPLY IS LIKE PULLING TEETH FROM SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T WANT TO OPEN ITS MOUTH.
THE UNRESOLVED WEAPONS ISSUE VIRTUALLY GUARANTEES THAT AN EMBARGO ON IRAQI OIL SALES WILL REMAIN IN PLACE.
BAGHDAD RECEIVED A SPECIAL DISPENSATION FROM THE COUNCIL LAST YEAR, ALLOWING IT TO SELL A LIMITED AMOUNT OF OIL TO RAISE MONEY FOR HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES.
BUT IRAQ IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE DEAL. IT SAYS THE PROGRAM IS MOVING TOO SLOWLY. AND IT WANTS MORE OF THE OIL PROFITS TO GO TOWARD FOOD AND MEDICINE FOR ITS POPULATION.
AT LEAST 30 PERCENT OF THE MONEY IS PEGGED FOR COMPENSATION TO THE VICTIMS OF THE INVASION OF KUWAIT. IRAQ MUST ALSO MEET OTHER U-N COSTS, INCLUDING DISARMAMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/RRM
03-Mar-97 3:51 PM EST (2051 UTC)
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