DATE=2/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227089
TITLE=IRAQ / ANNAN TALKS (S ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=BAGHDAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN IRAQ, U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS BEGUN TALKS
WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS AIMED AT RESOLVING THE DISPUTE OVER U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM BAGHDAD
THERE ARE INDICATIONS SOME PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.
TEXT: AFTER THREE HOURS OF TALKS WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS, U-N
SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAID HE IS NOT DISCOURAGED. HE
HELD A NINETY MINUTE ONE-ON-ONE MEETING WITH IRAQI FOREIGN
MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ AND LATER JOINED LARGER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN
THE FULL U-N AND IRAQI DELEGATIONS.
HE DESCRIBED THE TALKS AS CONSTRUCTIVE AND USEFUL. THERE IS NO
SPECIFIC WORD AS TO WHETHER A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN
REACHED ON THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION ISSUE.
MR. ANNAN HOPES TO LEAVE BAGHDAD MONDAY WITH AN AGREEMENT THAT
WILL ALLOW THE U-N-MANDATED INSPECTIONS TO CONTINUE, THEREBY
AVOIDING THE RISK OF A NEW MILITARY CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ.
NEGOTIATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME ON SUNDAY, ENDING WITH A
MEETING BETWEEN MR. ANNAN AND IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. NO
TIME OR VENUE FOR THAT MEETING HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED. (SIGNED)
NEB/MR/KL
21-Feb-98 9:38 AM EST (1438 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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