DATE=2/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227193
TITLE=IRAQ/ WEAPONS L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=U-N
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL EXPERTS SAY IRAQ MAY NOW
HAVE THE CAPABILTY TO PRODUCE TONS OF A DEADLY NERVE GAS.
V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED
NATIONS.
TEXT: THE 15 CHEMICAL WARFARE EXPERTS SAY IRAQ HAS THE
KNOWLEDGE, EQUIPMENT -- AND POSSIBLY THE CHEMCIALS -- TO MAKE AS
MUCH AS 200 METRIC TONS OF THE NERVE GAS V-X. THE TEAM OF
EXPERTS FROM NINE COUNTRIES SAYS IRAQ WAS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
V-X -- ALTHOUGH IN SMALLER QUANTITIES -- BEFORE THE JANUARY 1991
GULF WAR BEGAN.
AND A SECOND TEAM OF EXPERTS SAYS MORE INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED TO
ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF IRAQ'S OUTLAWED MISSILE WARHEADS.
THE TWO TEAMS MADE THEIR REPORTS FOLLOWING SO-CALLED "TECHNICAL
EVALUATION MEETINGS" IN EARLY FEBRUARY. THE MEETINGS INCLUDED
MEMBERS OF THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION (UNSCOM) IN CHARGE OF
DESTROYING IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND AN IRAQI
DELEGATION.
BAGHDAD REPORTEDLY HAD EXPECTED THE TECHNICAL EVALUATION MEETINGS
TO BRING AN END TO U-N INVESTIGATIONS OF ITS CHEMICAL WEAPONS
PROGRAM AND A SUBSEQUENT EASING OF U-N ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST
IRAQ. BUT THE CHEMICAL WARFARE EXPERTS CONCLUDED THAT SUCH AN
ACTION WOULD BE "PREMATURE." .
THE UNITED NATIONS CHIEF ARMS INSPECTOR FOR IRAQ, RICHARD BUTLER,
BRIEFED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE TWO REPORTS TODAY
(MONDAY). BUT MR. BUTLER AND MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DISCUSSION. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/PT
23-Feb-98 6:47 PM EST (2347 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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