DATE=3/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228118
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ WEAPONS INSPECTION (L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE HEAD OF THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH
DISARMING IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, RICHARD BUTLER,
SAYS HIS INSPECTION TEAM HAS BEEN GIVEN GREATER ACCESS TO
SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES IN IRAQ THAN EVER BEFORE. V-O-A
CORRESPONDENT BARBARA REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: MR. BUTLER SAYS INSPECTOR SCOTT RITTER MET WITH SECRETARY-
GENERAL KOFI ANNAN FRIDAY MORNING TO GIVE HIM A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT
OF INSPECTIONS HE COMPLETED IN IRAQ EARLIER THIS WEEK. AMBASSADOR
BUTLER SAYS THE INSPECTIONS REPRESENT A BENCHMARK IN U-N EFFORTS
TO GAIN ACCESS TO SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES IN IRAQ.
/// BUTLER ACT ///
I CALL IT A BENCHMARK BECAUSE WE WERE GIVEN ACCESS OF A
KIND WE HAVE NEVER HAD BEFORE BOTH IN TERMS OF THE
PLACES WE GOT INTO AND IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS OF
INSPECTORS AND THE WAY IN WHICH WE GOT INTO THOSE PLACES
INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE IRAQI
MINISTRY OF DEFENSE.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
MR. BUTLER SAYS SOME OF THE SITES THE TEAM VISITED ARE CONSIDERED
SENSITIVE BY THE IRAQIS. IRAQ HAS DENIED THE INSPECTORS ACCESS
TO SOME OF THE SO-CALLED SENSITIVE SITES IN THE PAST. MR. BUTLER
CREDITS THE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BY SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN WITH
IRAQ THREE WEEKS AGO WITH GIVING THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS THE
CHANCE TO INSPECT THOSE SITES.
MR. BUTLER SAYS HE WILL LEAVE SHORTLY FOR BAGHDAD TO MEET WITH
SENIOR IRAQI OFFICIALS TO COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS TO BEGIN
INSPECTION OF THE MOST SENSITIVE OF SITES, EIGHT PRESIDENTIAL
SITES LOCATED ACROSS IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/LSF
13-Mar-98 2:42 PM EST (1942 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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