DATE=4/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229201
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS END (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS HAVE COMPLETED THEIR FIRST ROUND
OF INSPECTIONS OF IRAQ'S CONTROVERSIAL PRESIDENTIAL SITES.
IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW THE INSPECTIONS NEARLY LED TO RENEWED
MILITARY ATTACKS AGAINST THE COUNTRY EARLIER THIS YEAR. V-O-A'S
UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN JUAN-CARLOS BRANDT SAYS THE
INSPECTIONS WERE COMPLETED LATE THURSDAY AFTER THE INSPECTION
TEAM PAID A SECOND VISIT TO THE REPUBLICAN PALACE IN THE IRAQI
CAPITAL, BAGHDAD.
/// BRANDT ACT ///
IT TOOK EIGHT DAYS TO COMPLETE THE SO-CALLED BASELINE
INSPECTIONS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SITES. THE INSPECTORS
AND DIPLOMATS WHO FLEW INTO IRAQ SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS
ROUND OF INITIAL INSPECTIONS WILL LEAVE THE COUNTRY
TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING.
/// END ACT ///
THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES NEARLY LAUNCHED MILITARY
STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ IN LATE FEBRUARY AFTER BAGHDAD REFUSED TO
ALLOW INSPECTORS INTO THE EIGHT SO-CALLED PRESIDENTIAL SITES.
THE INSPECTORS ARE LOOKING FOR INDICATIONS THAT IRAQ IS STILL
PRODUCING OR STORING CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS, IN VIOLATION
OF RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL AFTER THE GULF
WAR.
IRAQ HAS DENIED THAT IT IS PRODUCING OR STORING SUCH WEAPONS AND
SAYS THAT INSPECTIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL SITES VIOLATE THE COUNTRY'S
DIGNITY. IRAQI OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THE PALACES ARE COMPRISED
MAINLY OF PRIVATE RESIDENCES AND GUEST HOUSES.
THEY AGREED TO ALLOW THE INSPECTIONS AFTER U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL
KOFI ANNAN VISITED THE COUNTRY IN LATE FEBRUARY. THE AGREEMENT
-- A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING -- CALLED FOR A TEAM OF
DIPLOMATS TO ACCOMPANY THE INSPECTORS TO ENSURE THEY RESPECT WHAT
IRAQ CALLED "THE DIGNITY OF THE SITES."
U-N SPOKESMAN JUAN-CARLOS BRANDT SAYS THE INSPECTION TEAM WILL
SUBMIT A REPORT ON ITS FINDINGS NEXT WEEK.
/// BRANDT ACT ///
THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL GROUP WILL BE SUBMITTED BY THE
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION TO THE
SECURITY COUNCIL THROUGH THE SECRETARY-GENERAL IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. THIS
IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN SOMETIME IN THE NEXT WEEK.
/// END ACT ///
THE INSPECTIONS ARE A KEY ELEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS
AGAINST IRAQ, IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS
FOR LIFTING THE SANCTIONS IS THAT THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS CERTIFY
THAT IRAQ IS NO LONGER PRODUCING OR STORING ANY WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
03-Apr-98 2:53 PM EST (1953 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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