DATE=4/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229582
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A UNITED NATIONS REPORT RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) SAYS IRAQ
HAS PROVIDED AN INADEQUATE AND INCOMPLETE ACCOUNTING OF ITS
BIOLOGICAL WARFARE PROGRAM, DESPITE U-N REQUIREMENTS THAT IT
PROVIDE FULL DETAILS. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED
NATIONS.
TEXT: PARTICIPANTS IN A U-N TECHNICAL EVALUATION MEETING ON
IRAQ'S DISARMAMENT SAY BAGHDAD IS CARRYING OUT, WHAT THEY CALL,
"AN ELABORATE EFFORT TO CONCEAL AND PRESERVE THE COUNTRY'S
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM." IN A REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE U-N
SECRETARY-GENERAL, THE TEAM POINTS OUT THAT U-N SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS REQUIRE IRAQ TO PROVIDE FULL, FINAL AND COMPLETE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT ITS BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM.
U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD:
/// ECKHARD ///
THAT REPORTS CONCLUDES THAT IRAQ DID NOT PROVIDE ANY NEW
TECHNICAL INFORMATION OF SUBSTANCE TO SUPPORT ITS FULL,
FINAL AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURES AT THE VIENNA MEETING IN
MARCH.
/// END ACT ///
MR. ECKHARD SAYS IRAQ, AT THE MEETING IN VIENNA, RECOGNIZED ITS
NEED TO IMPROVE ITS SYSTEM FOR DISCLOSURE AND PROMISED TO DO SO.
THE REPORT'S CONCLUSIONS TEND TO SUPPORT CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY
THE U-N SPECIAL WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM, UNSCOM, THAT IRAQ IS
CONTINUING TO MANUFACTURE AND STORE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS. IN 1991,
AFTER THE GULF WAR, IRAQ PROMISED TO UNCONDITIONALLY DESTROY,
REMOVE AND RENDER HARMLESS ALL BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE
RESULTS OF THE TECHNICAL EVALUATION MEETING LATER THIS WEEK.
IRAQ FARES BETTER IN A REPORT JUST RELEASED BY THE INTERNATIONAL
ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, THE I-A-E-A. MR. ECKHARD SAYS THE AGENCY
SENT 15 NUCLEAR EXPERTS TO IRAQ TO FIND OUT IF CLANDESTINE
NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES WERE BEING CARRIED OUT AT ANY OF EIGHT
PRESIDENTIAL SITES.
/// ECKHARD ACT ///
IT NOTES THAT THE SURVEYS BY 15 I-A-E-A EXPERTS OF THE
EIGHT PRESIDENTIAL SITES REVEALED NO IMMEDIATE
INDICATIONS OF THE PRESENCE OF PROHIBITED MATERIALS OR
EQUIPMENT OR OF THE CONDUCT OF PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
WITH RESPECT TO THE MANDATE OF THE I-A-E-A.
/// END ACT ///
THE ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY BEGAN INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ IN OCTOBER
LAST YEAR AND SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE THEM AS NECESSARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
13-Apr-98 2:45 PM EDT (1845 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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