DATE=2/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226670
TITLE=RUSSIA/COHEN (L)
BYLINE=MICHELE KELEMEN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER HAS PUBLICLY LECTURED VISITING
U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN ABOUT WHAT RUSSIANS VIEW AS
THE UNCOMPROMISING U-S STAND ON IRAQ. V-O-A'S MICHELE KELEMEN IN
MOSCOW SAYS REPORTERS WITNESSED A STARTLING CONVERSATION THURSDAY
BETWEEN THE TWO MEN, AS THEY SAT DOWN FOR TALKS IN THE RUSSIAN
CAPITAL.
TEXT: MARSHAL IGOR SERGEYEV SAT FACE TO FACE WITH MR. COHEN IN
FRONT OF CAMERAS AND MICROPHONES AND SPELLED OUT RUSSIAN CONCERNS
ABOUT THE U-S THREAT OF FORCE AGAINST IRAQ. HE WARNED AGAINST
ACTING HASTILY AND SAID HE IS DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER THE PROSPECTS
FOR U-S RUSSIAN MILITARY RELATIONS, IF MILITARY ACTION IS TAKEN
IN THE GULF. THROUGH HIS INTERPRETER, HE ASKED QUESTIONS
DIRECTLY TO SECRETARY COHEN.
/// INTERPRETER ACT ///
IS AMERICA READY FOR ALL THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES?
DOES THE UNCOMPROMISING AND TOUGH STAND OF THE U-S ON
IRAQ HELP STRENGTHEN STABILITY IN THE WORLD?
/// END ACT ///
DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN WAS EQUALLY DIRECT IN HIS RESPONSES, AND
MADE CLEAR HE BELIEVES PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS NOT ACTED HASTILY,
BUT RATHER HAS EXERCISED CAUTION AND PRUDENCE.
/// COHEN ACT ///
YOU PROPERLY RAISED THE QUESTION OF WHAT ARE THE
POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF ACTING MILITARILY, AND THAT IS
AN APPROPRIATE QUESTION. IT IS EQUALLY APPROPRIATE TO
ASK THE QUESTION, WHAT IF WE FAIL TO ACT AND ALLOW
SADDAM HUSSEIN TO CONTINUE TO FLOUT U-N RESOLUTIONS, TO
CONTINUE TO PLAY HIDE AND SEEK WITH INSPECTORS, TO
CONTINUE TO FRUSTRATE THEIR EFFORTS TO DETERMINE THE
VOLUME AND AMOUNTS OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS HE HAS IN HIS
STOCKS AND HIS CAPACITY TO DELIVER THEM?
/// END ACT ////
DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAID EVERY COUNTRY HE HAS VISITED AGREES
UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS MUST BE ALLOWED TO WORK
WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS AND THE IRAQI LEADER MUST COMPLY WITH U-N
RESOLUTIONS.
THE PUBLIC DEBATE WAS JUST THE START OF A TWO-AND-A-HALF HOUR
MEETING THAT CONTINUED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AFTER REPORTERS WERE
USHERED OUT. LATER, THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY TRIED TO PUT THE
BEST FACE ON THE DISPUTE, SAYING IT WAS THE MOST CANDID AND
PRODUCTIVE MEETING HE HAS HAD IN HIS CAREER.
/// COHEN ACT ///
THERE WAS A FUNDAMENTAL AGREEMENT THAT SADDAM HUSSEIN
MUST OBEY AND FULFILL ALL OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS. THERE IS NO DISAGREEMENT ON THAT
WHATSOEVER, EVEN THOUGH THERE REMAINS A DISAGREEMENT ON
HOW WE WILL ACHIEVE THAT END.
/// END ACT ////
THE DEFENSE SECRETARY ADDED THAT HE AND HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART
DID TALK ABOUT WHAT HE WAS ORIGINALLY INVITED TO DISCUSS --
NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT AND OTHER SECURITY MATTERS.
/// REST OPT /// WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS IMPRESSION OF THE TALKS,
VISITING U-S SENATOR JOHN WARNER -- WHO ALSO TOOK PART IN THE
MEETING -- EXPLAINED IT THIS WAY: DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN HANDLED
IT AS BEST HE COULD AND STEADFASTLY GAVE THE U-S ADMINISTRATION'S
POSITION ON IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/MLK/PCF
12-Feb-98 1:08 PM EST (1808 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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