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DATE=6/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-234097
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ TENSION (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  A TOP IRAQI DIPLOMAT SAYS HIS COUNTRY IS CONFIDENT THAT 
THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR WILL BE LIFTED BEFORE 
THE END OF THIS YEAR, BUT WARNS A NEW CRISIS COULD DEVELOP IF 
THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN BY THAT TIME.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON SPOKE WITH
IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NIZAR HAMDOON.
TEXT:  IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS HIS COUNTRY 
HAS ALREADY MET THE CONDITIONS FOR LIFTING SANCTIONS -- THE 
DESTRUCTION OF ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  AMBASSADOR NIZAR
HAMDOON EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE IRAQ WILL BE ABLE TO CONVINCE U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS OF THAT BY OCTOBER, WHEN THE NEXT REVIEW OF 
SANCTIONS TAKES PLACE.
                       /// HAMDOON ACT ///
         WE THINK THAT IRAQ IS ENTITLED [TO THE LIFTING OF 
         SANCTIONS] AND ESPECIALLY WITH THIS COMING INTENSIVE 
         WORK DURING THESE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS, WE THINK THAT
         BY OCTOBER EVERYTHING SHOULD BE SETTLED.
                         /// END ACT ///
MR. HAMDOON'S OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF THE SITUATION FOLLOWS TALKS IN 
BAGHDAD BETWEEN IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ AND CHIEF
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER.  MR. AZIZ SAID THE MEETINGS
RESULTED IN A SPECIFIC LIST OF OUTSTANDING REQUIREMENTS STANDING 
IN THE WAY OF SANCTIONS -- A DEVELOPMENT HE DESCRIBED AS A 
"BREAKTHROUGH."
MR. BUTLER WAS MORE CAUTIOUS, SAYING PROGRESS IS POSSIBLE IN THE 
AREAS OF BALLISTIC MISSILES AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS.  BUT HE 
INDICATED SERIOUS PROBLEMS REMAIN IN THE AREA OF BIOLOGICAL 
WEAPONS.
IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, MR. HAMDOON, SAYS ANY 
ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN SANCTIONS AFTER THE NEXT REVIEW IN OCTOBER 
WILL LIKELY RESULT IN A NEW RISE IN TENSION IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
                       /// HAMDOON ACT ///
         THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE A STABLE REGION AND A STABLE GULF 
         REGION IS TO WORK OUT THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS.  IF THE 
         SANCTIONS STAY IN PLACE, THE PROSPECTS FOR INSTABILITY 
         AND FOR TENSION WILL BE THERE AND WE WILL HAVE TO 
         EXPRESS MORE OF THAT IF SANCTIONS ARE NOT LIFTED.
                         /// END ACT ///
BEFORE THE RECENT TALKS BETWEEN MR. AZIZ AND MR. BUTLER, IRAQ 
ACCUSED THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN OF MANIPULATING THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL AND THE WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM TO ENSURE THAT 
SANCTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE.  U-S AND BRITISH OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED
THE CHARGE.  THEY SAY PROGRESS IS BEING MADE TOWARDS LIFTING 
SANCTIONS BUT HAVE INDICATED IT IS UNLIKELY THEY WILL BE 
COMPLETELY REMOVED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.  (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WFR
17-Jun-98 4:03 PM EDT (2003 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.