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DATE=4/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229828
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ WEAPONS (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  IRAQ'S PUSH TO HAVE INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS LIFTED HAS 
SUFFERED ANOTHER SETBACK TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH THE RELEASE OF A 
REPORT CRITICAL OF ITS DEALINGS WITH U-N ARMS INSPECTORS.  
V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT:  CHIEF U-N ARMS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER SAYS IN A REPORT 
THAT IRAQ HAS MADE VIRTUALLY  NO  PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING 
REQUIREMENTS IT MUST FULFILL BEFORE SANCTIONS CAN BE LIFTED.  THE
U-N SECURITY COUNCIL REQUIRES VERIFICATION THAT IRAQ HAS 
DESTROYED ALL BALLISTIC, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.  THE 
LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE VERIFICATION PROCESS IS EXPECTED TO 
RESULT IN THE CONTINUATION OF SANCTIONS, IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF 
WAR, FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER SIX MONTH.
IN THE REPORT TO U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN, MR. BUTLER 
SAYS THE PAST SIX MONTHS SAW INTENSE ACTIVITY IN THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION ON WEAPONS 
INSPECTIONS, UNSCOM.  HE SAYS DURING THAT PERIOD IRAQ FAILED TO 
COMPLY WITH SECURITY COUNCIL REQUIREMENTS THAT IT ALLOW UNSCOM 
UNCONDITIONAL AND UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO RELEVANT SITES, 
DOCUMENTS AND PERSONS.  HE SAYS IRAQ SPENT TOO MUCH TIME TALKING 
ABOUT PROCESS AND PROCEDURES AND  NOT  ENOUGH ON ISSUES RELATED 
TO THE DESTRUCTION OF PROHIBITED WEAPONS.
THE PERIOD COVERED INCLUDES THE MOST RECENT CRISIS INVOLVING 
IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW INSPECTORS INTO EIGHT SO-CALLED 
PRESIDENTIAL SITES.  THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL REACHED AGREEMENT 
WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN IN MARCH FOR THE OPENING OF 
THOSE SITES.  BUT MR. BUTLER SAYS THE CRISIS RESULTED IN A 
FOUR-MONTH PERIOD WITH  NO  PROGRESS TOWARDS VERIFICATION.
RELEASE OF THE REPORT COMES AMID NEW CALLS FROM IRAQ FOR 
SANCTIONS TO BE LIFTED.  ON THURSDAY, IRAQ SAID A NEW CRISIS 
COULD DEVELOP IF IMMEDIATE PROGRESS IN THAT DIRECTION IS NOT 
MADE.  (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO
17-Apr-98 11:47 AM EDT (1547 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.