DATE=4/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229963
TITLE=U-N / IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMMED SAID AL-SAHHAF BEGAN
TALKS AT THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (MONDAY) AIMED AT BRINGING AN
END TO INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST HIS COUNTRY. V-O-A'S MAX
RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: AFTER A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE U-N SECURITY
COUNCIL, THE IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER CRITICIZED A JUST-RELEASED
U-N REPORT ON WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN HIS COUNTRY.
THE REPORT WAS PREPARED BY THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMISSION
ON WEAPONS INSPECTIONS, UNSCOM. IT SAYS THERE HAS BEEN NO
PROGRESS DURING THE LAST SIX MONTHS TOWARD VERIFYING THAT IRAQ
NO LONGER HAS ANY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. IT BLAMES IRAQ
FOR FAILING TO COOPERATE WITH THE INSPECTION TEAM.
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ, IMPOSED
AFTER THE GULF WAR, CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL THE COUNCIL RECEIVES
VERIFICATION.
THE IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HE IS IN NEW YORK TO EXPLAIN AND
CLARIFY SOME OF THE CHARGES IN THE UNSCOM REPORT.
/// AL-SAHHAF ACT ///
WE THINK SOME OF THEM ARE VAGUE, SOME OF THEM WERE VERY
SELECTIVE AND OTHERS ARE COMPLETELY UNFOUNDED AND
BASELESS. AS FOR THE CONCLUSIONS, THERE ARE SERIOUS
REMARKS FROM OUR SIDE. WE WISH TO EXPLAIN AND CLARIFY
THEM TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL.
/// END ACT ///
THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO MEET NEXT WEEK TO DECIDE
WHETHER TO EXTEND SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ. MR. AL-SAHHAF'S VISIT
TO U-N HEADQUARTERS IS SEEN BY DIPLOMATS AS ANOTHER EFFORT TO
CONVINCE SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NOT TO EXTEND THE SANCTIONS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/KL
20-Apr-98 3:07 PM EDT (1907 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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