DATE= 11/3/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222119
TITLE=S-G/IRAQ ( L)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN -- AS HIS
THREE-MAN DELEGATION HEADS TO BAGHDAD TO DEFUSE THE LATEST CRISIS
OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS -- SAYS THE STAGE IS BEING SET FOR IRAQ
TO SMOOTH OUT ITS RELATIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND
PUT AN END TO ITS SEVEN-YEAR ECONOMIC ISOLATION. THE SECURITY
COUNCIL MONDAY ENDORSED THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S DIPLOMATIC
MISSION TO IRAQ, EVEN AS TWO OF THE ENVOYS WERE HEADING OUT THE
DOOR TO THE AIRPORT. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:
TEXT: SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN SAYS THE IMMEDIATE AIM OF HIS
MISSION IS TO PERSUADE IRAQ TO TAKE NO ACTION TO EXPEL AMERICANS
ATTACHED TO THE U-N INSPECTION TEAMS. BAGHDAD SAYS THEY MUST BE
OUT ON WEDNESDAY.
BUT MR. ANNAN HAS A DEEPER GOAL. HE SAYS HE WANTS SADDAM HUSSEIN
TO REALIZE THERE IS HOPE THAT THE YEARS OF ECONOMIC PUNISHMENT
FROM SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990 COULD
COME TO AN END IF HE CHANGES HIS ATTITUDE:
//ANNAN ACT//
AND I THINK IF THE IRAQI AUTHORITIES WERE TO COOPERATE
FULLY WE CAN REALLY MOVE ON WITH THE INSPECTIONS, WITH
THE ELIMINATION OF THE WEAPONS AND BEGIN TO SEE LIGHT AT
THE END OF THE TUNNEL. BUT OF COURSE IT WOULD DEPEND ON
THEM AND THEIR COOPERATION.
//END ACT//
MR. ANNAN'S ENVOYS WILL DELIVER A LETTER TO THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.
HE WOULD NOT DISCLOSE ITS CONTENTS BUT SUGGESTED IT SPELLS OUT
THE TERMS OF THE MISSION -- WHICH IS NOT TO NEGOTIATE BUT TO
PERSUADE.
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL DISMISSES TALK OF OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES
DIPLOMACY -- PERHAPS A MILITARY SOLUTION, WHICH WASHINGTON HAS
NOT RULED OUT. HE SAYS HE EXPECTS HIS MISSION TO SUCCEED.
RICHARD BUTLER -- WHO HEADS THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IN CHARGE OF
THE INSPECTIONS -- SAYS IT IS CLEAR THE UNITED NATIONS WILL NOT
BACK DOWN FROM ITS POSITION THAT THE AMERICANS MUST BE ALLOWED TO
PARTICIPATE:
//BUTLER ACT//
I'M A LITTLE TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT THEIR NATIONALITY.
THAT'S NOT RELEVANT. THEY ARE OFFICIALS OF UNSCOM
(SPECIAL COMMISSION) AND THEY WILL GO TO WORK TOMORROW
IN THE NORMAL WAY. SHOULD ANYONE ASK THEM WHAT'S YOUR
NATIONALITY THEY'LL SAY "I WORK FOR THE UNITED NATIONS".
AND THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO AND WE WILL CONTINUE DOING IT
BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT.
//END ACT//
MR. BUTLER ALSO SAYS THE AMERICAN U-2 RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS --
WHICH ARE RUN ROUTINELY IN SUPPORT OF THE INSPECTIONS -- WILL
CONTINUE. IRAQ HAS THREATENED TO SHOOT THE PLANES DOWN. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/WFR
03-Nov-97 7:08 PM EST (0008 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
