DATE=2/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227114
TITLE=IRAQ AGREEMENT / S-O
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=IRAQ
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE
SOON WHETHER HE HAS AN AGREEMENT ON THE INSPECTION OF IRAQI
WEAPONS SIGHTS. MR. ANNAN HAS BEEN MEETING TODAY WITH IRAQI
PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN IN A LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO AVOID A
MILITARY CONFLICT. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE IRAQI
CAPITOL, BAGHDAD.
TEXT: AT MIDDAY, THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL AND THREE OF HIS TOP
AIDES WERE COLLECTED BY THREE BLACK MERCEDES AND TAKEN TO AN
UNKNOWN LOCATION FOR A MEETING WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM
HUSSEIN. MR. ANNAN TOOK WITH HIM A DRAFT AGREEMENT FOR ENDING A
DEADLOCK OVER U-N INSPECTION OF SUSPECTED IRAQI WEAPON SITES.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE CURRENT U-N INSPECTION TEAM WOULD BE
EXPANDED, TO MAKE IT MORE ACCEPTABLE TO IRAQ.
BUT SOURCES SAY THE DRAFT AGREEMENTS CONTAINS ONE CLAUSE COVERING
TIME LIMITS THAT COULD MAKE OR BREAK THE DEAL. IN PRELIMINARY
TALKS, IRAQ HAS INSISTED WEAPONS INSPECTIONS END AFTER ABOUT TWO
MONTHS. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS IT WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY
SUCH RESTRICTIONS.
THE UNITED STATES IS INDICATED IT MIGHT LAUNCH MILITARY STRIKES
AGAINST IRAQ, IF MR. ANNAN LEAVES BAGHDAD WITHOUT A SIGNED
AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB / TM-T / WD
22-Feb-98 6:47 AM EST (1147 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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