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DATE=2/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227016
TITLE=RICHARDSON/ ANNAN/ IRAQ (L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAYS 
THE UNITED STATES WILL OPPOSE ANY AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ THAT DOES  
NOT  CALL FOR FULL COMPLIANCE WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS. CORRESPONDENT
BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.  
TEXT: MR. RICHARDSON SAYS THE UNITED STATES STRONGLY SUPPORTS U-N
SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN'S TRIP TO BAGHDAD, AS A FINAL EFFORT
TO AVERT AIR STRIKES. BUT MR. RICHARDSON SAYS THE ONLY SOLUTION 
TO THE CURRENT CRISIS IS IRAQ'S TOTAL COMPLIANCE WITH U-N 
RESOLUTIONS PERMITTING INSPECTION OF SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES. 
AND, HE SAYS, THE UNITED STATES WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS.
                     /// RICHARDSON ACT ///
         WE DO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO OPPOSE A 
         POTENTIAL AGREEMENT THAT WE FEEL IS INCONSISTENT WITH 
         SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS AND OUR OWN NATIONAL 
         INTEREST. NOW EVERY MEMBER STATE HAS THAT (RIGHT). WE 
         HOPE THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SUCCEEDS. IT IS GOING TO BE 
         THE LAST HOPE FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. THAT DOES NOT 
         MEAN SADDAM HUSSEIN IS OFF THE HOOK. THAT MEANS THAT 
         SADDAM HUSSEIN'S PROBLEMS WILL INCREASE.
                         /// END ACT ///
MR. RICHARDSON SPOKE WITH REPORTERS AT THE UNITED NATIONS AFTER 
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HELD PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS.
                        /// REST OPT ///
EARLIER IN THE DAY, MR. ANNAN SPOKE WITH REPORTERS AT KENNEDY 
AIRPORT BEFORE LEAVING ON HIS MISSION. HE SAID HE WILL NEED ALL 
OF HIS NEGOTIATING SKILLS WHEN HE MEETS WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT 
SADDAM HUSSEIN. 
                       /// ANNAN ACT ////
         I WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION VERY CLEARLY AND 
         GET HIM TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS IN HIS BEST INTEREST 
         AND THE INTEREST OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE TO AGREE TO 
         IMPLEMENT SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.
                         /// END ACT ///
THE SECRETARY GENERAL SAID HE IS HOPEFUL THAT IRAQ HAS LEARNED 
NOT TO TAKE ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WHEN IT DECIDES TO USE
FORCE AS HAPPENED IN 1991. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/JO
19-Feb-98 3:31 PM EST (2031 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.