DATE=2/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227243
TITLE=SECURITY COUNCIL/ IRAQ (L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN BRIEFED THE
SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE AGREEMENT HE REACHED WITH
IRAQ PERMITTING U-N ARMS INSPECTORS ACCESS TO SUSPECTED SITES OF
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN IRAQ. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT
BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS.
TEXT: MR. ANNAN SPENT ABOUT TWO HOURS DISCUSSING THE AGREEMENT
HE SIGNED IN BAGHDAD WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL. AFTERWARDS HE
TOLD REPORTERS HE BELIEVES THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL UNANIMOUSLY
SUPPORT THE AGREEMENT ONCE IT IS EXPLAINED IN DETAILS.
BUT SERVERAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS APPEARED TO WITHHOLD FULL
SUPPORT FOR THE AGREEMENT. U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS
BILL RICHARDSON EXPRESSED GRATITUDE TO MR. ANNAN FOR UNDERTAKING
THE MISSION BUT SAID THE AGREEMENT NEEDS TO BE TESTED AND
VERIFIED SOON.
ONE OF THE CHIEF CONCERNS IS THE CREATION OF A SO-CALLED "SPECIAL
GROUP" OF DIPLOMATS SET UP BY THE AGREEMENT AND THE ROLE IT WILL
PLAY IN RELATION TO THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH
INSPECTING IRAQ'S SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES.
/// REST OPT FOR LONG VERSION ///
AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON REPEATED THE U-S POSITION THAT THE SPECIAL
COMMISSION'S INTEGRITY CANNOT BE COMPROMISED IN ANY WAY.
/// RICHARDSON ACT ///
WE THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE U-N SPECIAL
COMMISSION, UNSCOM, BE THE KEY OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY IN
THIS AGREEMENT. THAT IS OUR VERY STRONG POINT OF VIEW.
WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE GOT SOME ISSUES CLARIFIED ABOUT
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNSCOM AND WE WILL ATTEMPT IN THE DAYS
AHEAD TO CLARIFY MORE AREAS IN THE AGREEMENT.
/// END ACT ///
THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR EXPRESSED SIMILAR QUALIFICATIONS, SAYING
BRITAIN MAY PRESENT A RESOLUTION AS SOON AS WEDNESDAY TO CLARIFY
SOME POINTS.
SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN CONFIRMED THAT RICHARD BUTLER WILL REMAIN
IN CHARGE OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION. AND HE SAID HE IS NOT AS
PESSIMISTIC AS SOME OBSERVERS BECAUSE HE BELIEVES IRAQI PRESIDENT
SADDAM HUSSEIN IS SERIOUS.
//// ANNAN ACT ///
I THINK HE REALIZES WHAT IT MEANS FOR HIS PEOPLE. HE
REALIZES THAT IF HE IS GOING TO SEE LIGHT AT THE END OF
THE TUNNEL IRAQ HAS TO COOPERATE AND WORK WITH UNSCOM
AND UNSCOM SHOULD RESPOND IN KIND TO ACCELERATE THE
PROCESS OF DISARMAMENT AND IMPLEMENT THE RESOLUTIONS TO
MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.
/// END ACT ////
UNLIKE IRAQ'S PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS, MR.
ANNAN SAID, PRESIDENT HUSSEIN NEGOTIATED THIS ONE HIMSELF.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/PT
24-Feb-98 4:47 PM EST (2147 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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