DATE=3/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228707
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L ONLY)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS ROBERTS
DATELINE=BEIRUT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A LARGE TEAM OF U-N ARMS EXPERTS ARRIVED IN BAGHDAD
WEDNESDAY, IN ADVANCE OF THE FIRST EVER U-N INSPECTION OF EIGHT
IRAQI PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS. V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT
DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN BEIRUT REPORTS THE INSPECTORS WILL BE
ACCOMPANIED BY A GROUP OF DIPLOMATS, UNDER TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN BAGHDAD AND THE U-N THAT AVERTED A U-S LED MILITARY
STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ.
TEXT: NO DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR THE INAUGURAL VISITS TO THE
PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS. BUT THE CHIEF OF THE U-N ARMS COMMISSION
IN IRAQ, AUSTRALIAN DIPLOMAT RICHARD BUTLER, HAS SAID THE
INSPECTIONS ARE LIKELY TO BEGIN BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.
A GROUP OF AROUND 60 INSPECTORS, LED BY MR. BUTLER'S DEPUTY,
FLEW INTO BAGHDAD WEDNESDAY. THEY ARE JOINING A TEAM OF 20
FOREIGN DIPLOMATS, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL FIVE
PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, AMONG THEM U-S ENVOY
RYAN CROCKER, THE FORMER AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO KUWAIT.
THE U-N AGREED TO THE INCLUSION OF THE DIPLOMATS ON VISITS TO
PRESIDENTIAL SITES TO OVERCOME IRAQI OPPOSITION TO THE
INSPECTIONS. BUT U-N OFFICIALS HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THE ARMS
COMMISSION WILL DETERMINE THE PRECISE DATE OF THE INSPECTIONS AND
WILL CONTROL THE OPERATION.
COMMISSION CHAIRMAN BUTLER SPENT WEDNESDAY PREPARING FOR THE
INSPECTIONS. HE CONFERRED EARLIER IN THE WEEK WITH IRAQ'S DEPUTY
PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ, AND PRAISED WHAT HE CALLED THE NEW
SPIRIT OF COOPERATION FROM BAGHDAD.
MR. BUTLER REPORTED PROGRESS DURING THE TALKS ON EFFORTS TO
ACCOUNT FOR IRAQI MISSILE WARHEADS AND CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
THAT BAGHDAD CLAIMS TO HAVE DESTROYED.
U-N OFFICIALS SAY FURTHER CONTACTS WILL BE NECESSARY BEFORE THEY
CAN CONFIRM THE IRAQI CLAIMS. AND THEY SAY CONSIDERABLE WORK
REMAINS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS CAN CERTIFY THE
ELIMINATION OF IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
UNDER THE TERMS OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS, THE INSPECTORS
MUST VERIFY THE ELIMINATION OF ALL OF IRAQ'S NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL,
AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS AS WELL AS THE DESTRUCTION OF ITS
LONG-RANGE MISSILES. ONLY THEN CAN THE U-N ACT TO END THE
CRIPPLING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE THE
1990 IRAQI INVASION OF KUWAIT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/JWH
25-Mar-98 10:55 AM EST (1555 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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