DATE=3/2/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227475 TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (S - UPDATE) BYLINE=MAX RUSTON DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL SAY THEY HAVE AGREED ON THE WORDING OF A DRAFT RESOLUTION THAT INCREASES PRESSURE ON IRAQ TO ABIDE BY ITS ARMS INSPECTION ACCORD WITH U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN. FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU, V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS THE RESOLUTION IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE FORMAL APPROVAL WITHIN HOURS. TEXT: AFTER LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS, SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AGREED TO WARN OF, IN THE COUNCIL'S WORDS, "SEVEREST CONSEQUENCES" IF IRAQ VIOLATES ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL. THE RESOLUTION DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY AUTHORIZE MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ IF VIOLATIONS ARE DISCOVERED. BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES WERE PRESSING FOR THE TOUGHEST POSSIBLE LANGUAGE IN THE RESOLUTION. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME. FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA WERE RELUCTANT TO APPROVE ANY WORDING THAT WOULD ALLOW MILITARY STRIKES WITHOUT ADDITIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVAL. BRITISH AND U-S POLITICIANS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT IRAQ WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LATEST EASING OF TENSION IN THE GULF TO STEP UP ITS ALLEGED CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/MMK 02-Mar-98 3:51 PM EST (2051 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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