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DATE=6/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-234385
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ NERVE GAS (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS HAVE FOUND EVIDENCE 
THAT IRAQ'S CHEMICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM IS MORE ADVANCED THAN 
ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.  THE FINDINGS RAISE NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT 
IRAQ'S CLAIMS TO HAVE ELIMINATED ALL ITS WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON 
REPORTS.
TEXT:  UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS DISCOVERED EVIDENCE THAT
BEFORE THE 1991 GULF WAR IRAQ PUT DEADLY V-X NERVE GAS INTO 
MISSILE WARHEADS.  THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS IRAQ HAS THE ABILITY TO 
STABILIZE, STORE AND USE THE GAS AS A WEAPON.  AS RECENTLY AS 
LAST WEEK, BAGHDAD DENIED HAVING A V-X MISSILE PROGRAM.
U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAYS THE 
LATEST NEWS RAISES DOUBTS ABOUT IRAQ'S CLAIMS TO HAVE ELIMINATED 
ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- A REQUIREMENT BAGHDAD MUST 
MEET BEFORE SANCTIONS CAN BE LIFTED.
                     /// RICHARDSON ACT ///
         IT IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE.  WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT. 
         IT SHOWS, IF CONFIRMED, THAT IRAQ HAS BEEN CONCEALING 
         AND DECEIVING AND HIDING, AND CALLS INTO QUESTION THEIR 
         COMMITMENT TO COMPLYING WITH SECURITY COUNCIL 
         RESOLUTIONS ON CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
                         /// END ACT ///
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER WILL MEET WITH THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS IRAQ'S WEAPONS PROGRAMS.  
FULL DETAILS OF THE NERVE GAS DISCOVERIES -- FIRST REPORTED BY 
THE WASHINGTON POST NEWSPAPER -- ARE  NOT  EXPECTED TO BE 
RELEASED PUBLICLY UNTIL AFTER THAT MEETING.
MR. BUTLER AND MEMBERS OF HIS INSPECTION TEAM WERE IN IRAQ 
EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR TALKS WITH GOVERNMENT LEADERS THERE.  
IRAQI OFFICIALS ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED THOSE TALKS AS A 
BREAKTHROUGH IN EFFORTS TO RESOLVE ISSUES CONCERNING INSPECTIONS 
AND SANCTIONS.  BUT, OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, THERE HAVE BEEN 
SIGNS OF CONTINUING SIGNIFICANT DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN IRAQ AND 
THE U-N INSPECTION COMMISSION.
                      /// REST OPTIONAL ///
IRAQ IS DEMANDING THE SANCTIONS BE LIFTED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
IT SAYS BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES ARE USING THE WEAPONS 
INSPECTIONS AND SANCTIONS ISSUES IN AN EFFORT TO CAUSE THE 
COLLAPSE OF THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.  U-S AND BRITISH OFFICIALS 
REJECT THAT CHARGE.  BUT THEY SAY IT IS UNLIKELY SANCTIONS WILL 
BE LIFTED SOON, BECAUSE SO MUCH EVIDENCE REMAINS THAT IRAQ IS 
PURSUING PROGRAMS INVOLVING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
23-Jun-98 2:19 PM EDT (1819 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.