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DATE=6/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233365
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N INSPECTIONS (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAYS
IRAQ MAY BE IN POSSESSION OF DEADLY NERVE GAS AND OTHER 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS IN VIOLATION OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS 
TEXT:  MR. RICHARDSON SAYS IRAQ HAS BEEN DECEIVING U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WITH ITS CLAIM TO HAVE
DESTROYED ALL ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  HE MADE THE 
REMARK AFTER THE SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVED A TWO-DAY BRIEFING ON 
IRAQ'S WEAPONS PROGRAMS FROM THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION ON 
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS, UNSCOM.
                     /// RICHARDSON ACT ///
         THE UNSCOM PRESENTATION MADE THE FOLLOWING CLEAR:  ONE, 
         BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS MAY BE IN IRAQ TODAY ...TWO, V-X 
         NERVE AGENT WEAPONS MAY BE IN IRAQ TODAY ...THREE, IRAQ 
         CONTINUES TO PLAY HIDE AND SEEK WITH UNSCOM, THE U-N 
         INSPECTION TEAM ... AND FOUR, IRAQ IS STILL HIDING THE 
         DOCUMENTS THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THESE WEAPONS PROGRAMS 
         FULLY.
                         /// END ACT ///
MR. RICHARDSON SAYS THAT BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY UNSCOM IS 
HAVING OBTAINING INFORMATION ON IRAQ'S WEAPONS PROGRAMS, BAGHDAD 
REMAINS A LONG WAY FROM HAVING SANCTIONS, IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF 
WAR, LIFTED.  SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY THOSE SANCTIONS 
MUST REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL UNSCOM VERIFIES IRAQ NO LONGER HAS 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
WHILE BRITISH AND U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE BRIEFINGS DEMONSTRATED 
CLEAR AND INTENTIONAL IRAQI VIOLATIONS OF SECURITY COUNCIL 
RESOLUTIONS, DIPLOMATS FROM SOME OTHER COUNTRIES SAY THE 
INFORMATION IS NOT SO CONCLUSIVE.
FRENCH DIPLOMATS IN PARTICULAR QUESTIONED UNSCOM CHAIRMAN RICHARD
BUTLER AND HIS TEAM IN DETAIL, INDICATING DOUBTS ABOUT THE 
STRENGTH OF HIS FINDINGS.  THOSE DOUBTS HAVE BEEN ECHOED BY CHINA
AND RUSSIA, WHICH HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT MR. BUTLER IS 
BIASED AGAINST IRAQ.
ONE LATIN AMERICAN AMBASSADOR SAYS THE BRIEFINGS EXPOSED A 
DIVISION IN THE COUNCIL IN WHICH THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN  
ARE FOCUSSING ON IRAQ'S PAST VIOLATIONS OF COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS 
WHILE CHINA, RUSSIA AND FRANCE ARE TRYING TO LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS 
FOR THE FUTURE THAT WILL PREVENT A FURTHER ESCALATION OF TENSION 
IN THE MIDDLE EAST.  BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE PAST VIOLATIONS 
ARE CONTINUING TODAY AND COULD RESULT IN TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES IF
IGNORED.   (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE
04-Jun-98 1:53 PM EDT (1753 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.