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DATE=4/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-230205
TITLE=U-N / FRECHETTE / IRAQ (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS' NEW DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL, LOUISE 
FRECHETTE, SAYS A LACK OF INFORMATION CONTINUES TO STAND IN THE 
WAY OF RESOLVING ISSUES CONCERNING SANCTIONS ON IRAQ.  V-O-A'S 
MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT:  MS. FRECHETTE SAYS IRAQ HAS MADE CLEAR PROGRESS IN 
PROVIDING U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS ACCESS TO ITS PRESIDENTIAL 
SITES.  BUT SHE SAYS MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED BY IRAQ AND
THESE STAND IN THE WAY OF EASING TENSION BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE U-N
SECURITY COUNCIL.
                      /// FRECHETTE ACT ///
         THERE WERE MANY QUESTIONS THAT WERE STILL UNANSWERED AND
         A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT STILL HAS TO BE PROVIDED IN 
         ORDER FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED.
                         /// END ACT ///
MS. FRECHETTE MADE THE REMARK AMID MOUNTING CALLS FROM THE IRAQI 
GOVERNMENT FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF 
WAR.  U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY THOSE SANCTIONS CANNOT
BE LIFTED UNTIL U-N INSPECTORS VERIFY THAT IRAQ NO LONGER HAS ANY
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  A REPORT ISSUED BY THE INSPECTORS 
EARLIER THIS MONTH SAYS IRAQ HAS MADE VIRTUALLY NO PROGRESS 
TOWARDS VERIFICATION OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS MONDAY TO REVIEW SANCTIONS ON IRAQ.  
THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT WILL OPPOSE ANY EFFORT TO LIFT OR 
WEAKEN THE SANCTIONS.
                      /// REST OPTIONAL ///
SPEAKING IN AN INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE NEWS CONFERENCE, MS. 
FRECHETTE ALSO DISCUSSED ISSUES CONCERNING PEACEKEEPING AND HER 
STATUS AS THE HIGHEST RANKING WOMAN AT THE UNITED NATIONS.
SHE SAID PEACEKEEPING IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF 
THE UNITED NATIONS, PARTICULARLY ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.  SHE 
PRAISED AFRICA'S INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN PEACEKEEPING FORCES, 
BUT SAID SHE WOULD NOT SUPPORT THE IDEA OF AFRICA SETTING UP ITS 
OWN PEACEKEEPING FORCES, SEPARATE FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
                      /// FRECHETTE ACT ///
         I BELIEVE THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO WORK WITH AFRICAN
         NATIONS AND AFRICAN INSTITUTIONS TO DEVELOP A SOLID 
         CAPABILITY IN AFRICA TO DO PEACEKEEPING.  BUT I AM NOT 
         SAYING THAT PEACEKEEPING IN AFRICA SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE
         AFRICANS ENTIRELY.
                         /// END ACT ///
REGARDING ISSUES OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS, MS. FRECHETTE, A FORMER 
CANADIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAID SHE IS CONCERNED 
ABOUT SITUATIONS WHERE WOMEN ARE FACING PREJUDICE AND UNFAIR 
TREATMENT.  SHE SAID THE UNITED NATIONS IS TRYING, IN HER WORDS, 
TO DEAL WITH THESE SITUATIONS IN A WAY THAT WILL ACTUALLY RESULT 
IN POSITIVE ADVANCEMENTS FOR THE WOMEN FACING UNFAIR TREATMENT.  
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
24-Apr-98 1:45 PM EDT (1745 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.