DATE=2/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227300
TITLE= IRAQ/ PRESIDENTIAL SITES (L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE HEAD OF THE MAPPING TEAM THAT RECENTLY SURVEYED
PRESIDENTIAL PALACE SITES IN IRAQ BRIEFED THE UNITED NATIONS
SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT
BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE SITES HAVE BEEN AT THE CORE OF MUCH
OF THE DISPUTE BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS OVER IRAQI
COMPLIANCE WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS.
THE IRAQIS HAVE DENIED ACCESS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE SITES TO
THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION -- UNSCOM -- CHARGED WITH DESTROYING
IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS. IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO PERMIT
ACCESS TO THESE SITES HAS LED MANY OBSERVERS TO SUSPECT IRAQ IS
HARBORING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
SITES.
U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SENT A TEAM OF SURVEYORS TO IRAQ
THE WEEK BEFORE HIS TRIP TO DETERMINE THE SIZE AND LOCATIONS OF
THE SENSITIVE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE SITES. THE TEAM IDENTIFIED
EIGHT SUCH SITES -- THE FIGURE MR. ANNAN USED IN HIS NEGOTIATIONS
WITH THE IRAQIS.
STAFFAN DI MISTURA -- HEAD OF THE MAPPING TEAM -- SAYS THE
SURVEYORS WERE ABLE TO VISIT ALL OF THE SITES DURING A
THREE-AND-ONE-HALF DAY TRIP.
THE TEAM IDENTITIED MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND STRUCTURES IN EIGHT
PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS, INCLUDING RESIDENCES, GUEST HOUSES,
WAREHOUSES, OFFICE FACILITIES, AND ARTIFICIAL LAKES. THREE OF THE
SITES ARE LOCATED IN BAGHDAD.
MR. DI MISTURA SAYS THE TEAM LOOKED MOSTLY AT BUILDINGS ABOVE THE
GROUND. BUT HE SAYS THEY WERE ALL ALERT TO ANY SIGNS OF
UNDERGROUND ROOMS, ESPECIALLY THE TWO UNSCOM MEMBERS WHO
ACCOMPANIED THE SURVEYORS.
/// DI MISTURA ACT ////
WE DID HAVE THESE TWO COLLEAGUES FROM UNSCOM WITH US AND
THEY DID HAVE A LITTLE EAGLE EYE ON WHAT WOULD BE
CONSIDERED AN UNUSUAL BUILDING IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO
FULFILL OUR TASK, WHICH WAS TO IDENTIFY THE NATURE OF
BUILDINGS. WE EVEN INQUIRED AS TO WHY THERE WERE SO MANY
AERIAL OR AIR VENTS FOR SEVERAL BUILDINGS -- WHICH
COULD HAVE LED TO A BASEMENT WHICH NEEDED TO HAVE AERIAL
VENTILATION. WE DISCOVERED EVERY SINGLE TIME THAT THERE
WAS A CHARMING OPEN FIRE AT THE END. BUT WE DID GO INTO
ALL THE BASEMENTS.
/// END ACT ///
MR. DI MISTURA SAYS THE EIGHT COMPOUNDS COVERED 31 POINT FIVE
SQUARE KILOMETERS, ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF WHICH IS ARTIFICIAL LAKES.
THURSDAY THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE DISCUSSION
ON THE AGREEMENT REACHED BY U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN
EARLIER THIS WEEK TO PERMIT U-N INSPECTORS UNFETTERED ACCESS TO
SUSPECTED IRAQI WEAPONS SITES. BRITAIN IS EXPECTED TO CIRCULATE
A RESOLUTION SPELLING OUT THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES IRAQ FACES IF
IT DOES NOT ABIDE BY THE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/PT
25-Feb-98 7:18 PM EST (0018 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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