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DATE=2/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226838
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  KEY MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL MET 
TODAY (MONDAY) IN NEW YORK TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE VISIT TO IRAQ BY
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN.   FROM THE UNITED NATIONS, 
V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS NO IMMEDIATE AGREEMENT ON THE VISIT 
WAS REACHED, BUT TALKS WILL CONTINUE ON TUESDAY.
TEXT:  AFTER THE HOUR-LONG MEETING, MR. ANNAN SAID THE FIVE 
PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL ARE NEAR AN AGREEMENT 
ON HIS VISIT.  HE WOULD NOT DISCUSS THE DETAILS BUT SAID MORE 
DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL 
ARE NEEDED.
                        /// ANNAN ACT ///
         LET ME SAY THAT I HAVE MADE CLEAR RIGHT FROM THE 
         BEGINNING THAT I WILL BE PREPARED TO INTERVENE AND IF I 
         AM GOING TO INTERVENE, I AM DOING IT TO MAKE A 
         DIFFERENCE.  I HAVE ALSO MADE IT CLEAR THAT FOR THE TRIP
         TO BE SUCCESSFUL, IT HAS TO BE CAREFULLY PREPARED BOTH 
         HERE AND IN BAGHDAD AND THIS IS WHY I HAVE BEEN ENGAGED 
         IN THESE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PERMANENT FIVE.
                         /// END ACT ///
MR. ANNAN HAS SAID HE HOPES SUCH A VISIT WOULD AVOID MILITARY 
CONFLICT WITH IRAQ.  THE UNITED STATES HAS SAID IT WILL TAKE 
MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ IF BAGHDAD DOES NOT ABIDE BY U-N 
AGREEMENTS ALLOWING INSPECTORS WORKING FOR THE U-N SPECIAL 
COMMISSION IN CHARGE OF DISARMAMENT, UNSCOM, FULL ACCESS TO SITES
THAT COULD BE USED FOR MAKING CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL ARE THE UNITED
STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA.
AFTER THE MEETING MONDAY, U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS 
BILL RICHARDSON SAID HE WOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY SOLUTION INVOLVING 
WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS COMPROMISES OR DEALS ON THE INSPECTIONS 
ISSUE.    
                     /// RICHARDSON ACT ///
         IT IS OUR VIEW THAT ANY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM CENTER 
         AROUND TWO CORE PRINCIPLES.  FIRST, CLEAR, UNFETTERED 
         ACCESS TO ALL SITES BY UNSCOM INSPECTORS AND SECONDLY 
         THE FULL INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONALISM OF UNSCOM NEEDS 
         TO BE MAINTAINED.  ON THAT BASIS, ANY DIPLOMATIC 
         INITIATIVE CAN SUCCEED.
                         /// END ACT ///
PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL BEGAN THEIR DISCUSSIONS
ON MR. ANNAN'S PROPOSED TRIP ON WEDNESDAY.  (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/PT
16-Feb-98 8:35 PM EST (0135 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.