DATE=2/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227135
TITLE=IRAQ INSPECTIONS AGREEMENT (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=BAGHDAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQ AGREED SUNDAY TO ALLOW THE RESUMPTION OF
UNRESTRICTED U-N INSPECTIONS OF ITS WEAPONS SITES IN AN APPARENT
EFFORT TO REDUCE THE THREAT OF RENEWED MILITARY STRIKES FROM THE
UNITED STATES. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE IRAQI
CAPITAL, BAGHDAD.
TEXT: THE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED AFTER TWO DAYS OF OFTEN
DIFFICULT TALKS BETWEEN IRAQI LEADERS AND U-N SECRETARY GENERAL
KOFI ANNAN. IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN PERSONALLY REMOVED
THE LAST AND LARGEST OBSTACLE TO THE AGREEMENT AND RUSSIA IS
BELIEVED TO HAVE PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN CONVINCING HIM TO DO
SO. IF THE AGREEMENT IS IMPROVED BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IT
IS EXPECTED TO VIRTUALLY ELIMINATE THE THREAT OF RENEWED U-S
MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.
IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ IS SCHEDULED TO SIGN THE
AGREEMENT ON MONDAY SHORTLY BEFORE MR. ANNAN ENDS HIS FOUR DAY
VISIT TO BAGHDAD AND RETURNS TO NEW YORK.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT. IRAQ PLEDGES TO ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS
UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO ITS WEAPONS SITES. IT PROMISED TO DO SO
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GULF WAR BUT RECENTLY DECLARED SOME SITES
OFF LIMITS TO THE INSPECTORS RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE
PRODUCTION OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
MR. ANNAN IS BELIEVED TO HAVE AGREED TO EXPAND THAT A SPECIAL
INSPECTION TEAM TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES OTHER
THAN THE UNITED STATES. IRAQ HAS CHARGED THAT THE ORIGINAL TEAM
WAS STAFFED BY U-S SPIES - A CHARGE WASHINGTON DENIES. THE CORE
MEMBERS OF THE TEAM ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN THE SAME BUT DIPLOMATS
FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WILL ACCOMPANY THEM DURING THEIR INSPECTION.
U-N OFFICIALS SAY FULL DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT WILL BE RELEASED
ONLY AFTER MR. ANNAN BRIEFS THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON TUESDAY.
MR. ANNAN HAS BEEN IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL DURING HIS
FOUR-DAY VISIT TO IRAQ. THE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY
COUNCIL ARE CHINA, THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE, RUSSIA AND BRITAIN.
MR. ANNAN SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT THEY WILL ALL ACCEPT THE
AGREEMENT.
SOURCES SAY RUSSIA PLAYED A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN
CONVINCING THE IRAQI PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT UNRESTRICTED WEAPONS
INSPECTIONS MR. ANNAN TELEPHONED THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
EARLY SUNDAY AND ASKED HIM TO URGE IRAQ TO ACCEPT UNRESTRICTED
INSPECTIONS. THEY SAY RUSSIA AGREED TO THE U-N REQUEST FOR
ASSISTANCE.
MR. ANNAN SAYS HE IS PLEASED WITH THE AGREEMENT. HE SAYS HE
FEELS IT FULFILLS THE TWO PRINCIPLE OBJECTIVES HE HAD IN
TRAVELING TO BAGHDAD - TO ENSURE RESPECT FOR UNITED NATIONS
RESOLUTIONS GOVERNING INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ AND THE PRESERVATION OF
THE INTEGRITY OF THE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS PROCESS. (SIGNED)
NEB/MR/ENE-T/SD
22-Feb-98 6:46 PM EST (2346 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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