DATE=2/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227292
TITLE=ALBRIGHT / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS RECEIVED CLARIFICATIONS FROM
UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN ABOUT THE AGREEMENT
HE HAS MADE WITH IRAQ ON WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. RON PEMSTEIN
REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS MOVED
FROM SKEPTICISM TO PLEASURE.
TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS BRIEFED CONGRESS
ON THE ASSURANCES SHE HAS RECEIVED FROM U-N SECRETARY GENERAL
KOFI ANNAN. THE AMERICAN CONCERNS HAVE CENTERED ON THE DIPLOMATS
WHO ARE TO ACCOMPANY UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS ON THEIR
VISITS TO SO-CALLED PRESIDENTIAL SITES IN IRAQ.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS TOLD A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING, THE
ADMINISTRATION IS SATISFIED WITH THE ASSURANCES SHE HAS RECEIVED
FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL ABOUT THE CONTINUED ROLE OF THE U-N
SPECIAL COMMISSION AND ITS LEADER RICHARD BUTLER.
///ALBRIGHT ACT///
BUTLER WILL REMAIN VERY MUCH IN CHARGE UNDER THE TERMS
OF THE NEW AGREEMENT AS HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN. WHAT IS
GOING TO HAPPEN IS THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE ONE
ADDITIONAL UNSCOM COMMISSIONER APPOINTED BRINGING THE
TOTAL NUMBER UNDER BUTLER TO 22 AND THE RELATIONS OF THE
NEW COMMISSIONER AND BUTLER WILL BE THE SAME AS THE
EXISTING ARRANGEMENT.
///END ACT///
ADDITIONALLY, THE SECRETARY OF STATE TOLD CONGRESS, THE TEAM
LEADER AT THE PRESIDENTIAL SITES WILL BE A TECHNICIAN FROM THE
SPECIAL COMMISSION, KNOWN AS UNSCOM. AS FOR THE DIPLOMATS
ACCOMPANYING THE TEAMS, MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THEY WILL
FUNCTION ONLY AS OBSERVERS.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN CONCERNED THAT THIS LAYER OF
BUREAUCRACY WOULD DILUTE MR. BUTLER'S EFFECTIVENESS. WHAT IS
IMPORTANT ACCORDING TO VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE IS THAT RICHARD
BUTLER'S ROLE NOT BE DIMINISHED.
///GORE ACT///
SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN HAS BEEN PROVIDING THOSE
CLARIFICATIONS AND THE SUM TOTAL OF THE CLARIFICATIONS
POINT TO AN ASSURANCE THAT MR. BUTLER WILL CLEARLY
REMAIN IN CHARGE.
///END ACT///
THE STATE DEPARTMENT ORIGINALLY TALKED ABOUT QUESTIONS AND
AMBIGUITIES IN MR. ANNAN'S AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ. NOW A SPOKESMAN
TERMS THE AGREEMENT A WIN-WIN AGREEMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES AND
A STEP FORWARD.
SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE AGREEMENT MAKES MILITARY ACTION
MUCH MORE LIKELY IF IRAQ DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT KOFI
ANNAN MADE IN BAGHDAD.
///RUBIN ACT///
WHEN IT COMES TO THE KEY MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY
COUNCIL, THE ONES WHOSE VOTES COUNT THE MOST, WE HAVE
ASSURANCES THAT THEY WILL BE INCREASINGLY SUPPORTIVE OF
PROSPECT OF MILITARY FORCE IF SADDAM HUSSEIN RENEGES ON
THIS AGREEMENT.
///END ACT///
MR. RUBIN CONFIRMS THAT SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT MADE A
PREVIOUSLY UNDISCLOSED TRIP TO NEW YORK BEFORE KOFI ANNAN WENT TO
BAGHDAD TO TELL HIM THE AMERICAN CONDITIONS FOR A DEAL WITH IRAQ.
AFTER HEARING MR. ANNAN'S ASSURANCES, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION
NOW FEELS THOSE RED LINES HAVE NOT BEEN CROSSED. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/KL
25-Feb-98 4:35 PM EST (2135 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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