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DATE=3/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227490
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (MONDAY) 
REACHED AGREEMENT ON A RESOLUTION WARNING IRAQ OF SEVERE 
CONSEQUENCES IF IT VIOLATES ITS WEAPONS INSPECTION ACCORD WITH 
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN.  V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT MAX 
RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT:  AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION WAS REACHED AFTER HOURS OF 
NEGOTIATIONS IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL.  TALKS FOCUSSED ON HOW 
SEVERE THE WARNING TO IRAQ SHOULD BE AND WHETHER THE RESOLUTION 
SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPROVE MILITARY STRIKES IF IRAQ VIOLATES 
THE ARMS INSPECTION ACCORD.
U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON:
                     /// RICHARDSON ACT ///
         IT SENDS THE UNMISTAKABLE SIGNAL TO IRAQ IF THERE ARE 
         VIOLATIONS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S AGREEMENT, THERE 
         WILL BE SEVEREST CONSEQUENCES.  THIS IS A VICTORY FOR US
         BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE WAS CHANGED FROM "VERY SEVERE" TO 
         "SEVEREST".  IN DIPLOMACY, THIS MEANS SOMETHING.  THIS 
         IS A CLEAR, STRONG RESOLUTION THAT WE ARE VERY PLEASED 
         WITH, THAT NOW WILL GO INTO FORCE.
                         /// END ACT ///
MR. RICHARDSON SAYS PAST U-N RESOLUTION ALREADY PROVIDE 
SUFFICIENT BACKING FOR MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN, SPEAKING TO THE SECURITY 
COUNCIL, DESCRIBED THE RESOLUTION AS ONE OF THE U-N'S MOST 
IMPORTANT STEPS IN ADDRESSING THE CONSEQUENCES OF IRAQ'S INVASION
OF KUWAIT SEVEN YEARS AGO.  BUT HE SAID IT IS NOW UP TO IRAQ 
FULFILL ITS OBLIGATIONS IF THE CRISIS IS TO END.
                        /// ANNAN ACT ///
         WHETHER THE THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY 
         HAS BEEN AVERTED FOR ALL TIME IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE
         IRAQI LEADERSHIP.  IT IS NOW FOR THEM TO COMPLY IN 
         PRACTIVE WITH WHAT THEY HAVE SIGNED ON PAPER.
                        /// END ACT /// 
IN ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL, IRAQ PROMISED TO
ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO ALL SUSPECTED WEAPONS
SITES -- IN LINE WITH PAST U-N RESOLUTIONS.  THE UNITED STATES 
WAS PREPARED TO LAUNCH MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ LAST MONTH 
IF IT DID NOT AGREE TO OPEN THE SITES.
BUT U-S AND BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY REMAIN SKEPTICAL ABOUT 
IRAQ'S LATEST PROMISES.  THEY ARE CONCERNED IRAQ MAY BE TAKING 
ADVANTAGE OF THE EASED TENSION IN THE REGION TO STEP UP ITS 
ALLEGED PRODUCTION OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
 (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/PT
02-Mar-98 7:56 PM EST (0056 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.