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DATE=2/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227350
TITLE= BUTLER/ IRAQ AGREEMENT (L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE HEAD OF THE INSPECTION TEAM CHARGED WITH DESTROYING 
IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS, RICHARD BUTLER, SAYS THE 
AGREEMENT STRUCK BY SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IN BAGHDAD 
EARLIER IN THE WEEK STRENGTHENS HIS WORK.  V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT 
BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED  NATIONS.   
TEXT:   AMBASSADOR BUTLER SAYS HE WELCOMES THE NEW AGREEMENT 
BECAUSE IT GIVES HIS UNSCOM (U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION) INSPECTION 
TEAM IMMEDIATE, UNCONDITIONAL AND UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO ALL 
SITES IN IRAQ.  
SOME OBSERVERS HAVE EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE AGREEMENT 
BECAUSE IT CREATES A SO-CALLED "SPECIAL GROUP" OF DIPLOMATS TO 
ACCOMPANY THE UNSCOM TEAM WHEN IT INSPECTS PRESIDENTIAL PALACE 
SITES. 
MUCH OF THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE IRAQIS AND THE UNITED NATIONS
STEMS FROM IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW INSPECTORS INTO EIGHT 
PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS.  MR. BUTLER SAYS THE SPECIAL GROUP 
STRENGTHENS HIS TEAM BY GUARANTEEING ACCESS TO THOSE SENSITIVE 
SITES.  
                      /// BUTLER ACT //// 
         WITH THE ESTABISHMENT OF A SPECIAL INSPECTION GROUP 
         WITHIN UNSCOM TO BE LED BY A SPECIAL CHIEF INSPECTOR OF 
         UNSCOM TO WHICH DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS WILL BE ADDED TO 
         ENSURE CONCERNS THAT IRAQ HAS EXPRESSED AND THE COUNCIL 
         HAS ACKNOWLEDGED WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR DIGNITY 
         OF THOSE SITES, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO OUR WORK.
                        /// END ACT ////
MR. BUTLER SAYS HE WELCOMES TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT U-N UNDER 
SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR DISARMAMENT JAYANTHA DHANAPALA  WILL HEAD 
THE NEW SPECIAL GROUP.  
AND MR. BUTLER URGES CRITICS OF THE AGREEMENT TO LOOK LESS AT THE
"FINE" PRINT AND MORE AT THE "THUMB" PRINT. IN OTHER WORDS, HE 
SAYS, THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED AT THE HIGHEST POLITICAL
LEVEL -- BETWEEN SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN AND IRAQI PRESIDENT
SADDAM HUSSEIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/PT
26-Feb-98 5:00 PM EST (2200 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.