DATE=6/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233851
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N SATURDAY (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS' CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR HAS HELD A
FIRST ROUND OF TALKS WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS IN IRAQ. THE U-N
OFFICIAL IS PRESENTING A LIST OF STEPS IRAQ MUST TAKE IN ORDER TO
BRING ABOUT AN EVENTUAL END TO ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. CORRESPONDENT
SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN CAIRO THAT
THERE IS WORRY THAT IRAQI REMARKS PRIOR TO THE VISIT MIGHT SIGNAL
ANOTHER STANDOFF, BUT U-N OFFICIALS ARE EXPRESSING CAUTIOUS
OPTIMISM.
TEXT: CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER SATURDAY TOLD
REPORTERS IN BAGHDAD HE IS FEELING POSITIVE ABOUT THIS ROUND OF
MEETINGS. HE HELD INITIAL TALKS WITH IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
TARIQ AZIZ, BUT LITTLE WAS SAID PUBLICLY.
MR. BUTLER, UPON ARRIVING THURSDAY IN THE IRAQI CAPITAL, SAID HE
BROUGHT A "ROADMAP" THAT OUTLINES WHAT THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT MUST
DO TO PROVE TO U-N OFFICIALS THAT IT HAS DISMANTLED ITS WEAPONS
OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
IRAQ SAYS IT HAS DESTROYED ITS CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
AND AS A RESULT HAS NOTHING ELSE TO SHOW. THE IRAQI NEWS MEDIA
HAS ACCUSED THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION OF PROLONGING THE
INSPECTIONS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THAT HAVE
SEVERELY HURT THE IRAQI ECONOMY. AS A RESULT, DIPLOMATS
EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF A STANDOFF SIMILAR TO
ONE EARLIER THIS YEAR WHICH NEARLY BROUGHT U-S AIR STRIKES
AGAINST IRAQ.
THE U-N SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO IRAQ, PRAKASH SHAH, SAID PRIOR
TO SATURDAY'S TALKS THAT IRAQI OFFICIALS HAVE TOLD HIM THE U-N
"ROADMAP" DOES NOT SEEM TO CONTAIN ANYTHING NEW, BUT THAT THEY
ARE PREPARED TO LISTEN AND SEE WHAT IS NEEDED TO GO FORWARD.
///REST OPT///
MR. BUTLER SAYS THE LIST CONTAINED IN HIS ROADMAP IS NOT
EXTENSIVE AND HIS CONCERNS COULD BE SATISFIED IN A MATTER OF
MONTHS -- IF THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT COOPERATES. IRAQ MAINTAINS IT
HAS ALREADY COMPLIED WITH ALL U-N DEMANDS AND IS CALLING ON THE
WORLD BODY TO LIFT THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.
DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS NOTE THE UNITED NATIONS IS UNDER INCREASING
PRESSURE TO EASE THE SANCTIONS ON IRAQ. SOME MEMBER STATES ARE
OPENLY CALLING FOR AN END TO THE MEASURES, WHILE OTHERS ARE
CALLING PRIVATELY FOR A GRADUAL EASING TO ENCOURAGE IRAQI
COOPERATION.
MANY GOVERNMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST SAY THE SANCTIONS SHOULD BE
LIFTED BECAUSE THEY ARE CAUSING SEVERE HARDSHIP ON THE IRAQI
PEOPLE AND HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED IN SPARKING A POPULAR UPRISING
AGAINST THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT, WHICH MANY BELIEVE WAS THEIR REAL
PURPOSE. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JO
13-Jun-98 11:16 AM EDT (1516 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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