DATE=7/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235932
TITLE=IRAQ / INSPECTS (L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE HEAD OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED
WITH DISMANTLING IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, RICHARD
BUTLER, SAYS HE HAS TEMPORARILY AVOIDED AN IMPASSE WITH IRAQ OVER
DISPUTED DOCUMENTS. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM
THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: MR. BUTLER SAYS AN IRAQI REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO TURN
OVER SUSPICIOUS DOCUMENTS TO THE U-N INSPECTION TEAM DURING A
JULY 18TH INSPECTION OF THE IRAQI AIR FORCE'S HEADQUARTERS.
IN A LETTER TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, MR. BUTLER SAYS THE
DOCUMENTS CONTAINED INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIAL MUNITIONS CAPABLE
OF DELIVERING CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENTS.
MR. BUTLER SAYS IT WAS EVENTUALLY DECIDED TO PUT THE DOCUMENTS
UNDER SEAL UNTIL HE VISITS BAGHDAD AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST. AT
THAT TIME, AMBASSADOR BUTLER AND IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
TARIQ AZIZ WILL REVIEW THE DOCUMENTS.
BUT MR. BUTLER SAYS THE SOLUTION IS ONLY A TEMPORARY ONE BECAUSE
THE INSPECTION TEAM HAS THE RIGHT TO REMOVE OR COPY ANY DOCUMENTS
RELATED TO ITS ACTIVITIES.
ACCORDING TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, IRAQ HAS TO GIVE THE U-N
INSPECTION TEAMS IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS
THEY WISH TO EXAMINE. MR. BUTLER SAYS HE INTENDS TO "RECALL THOSE
RIGHTS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ" DURING HIS UPCOMING VISIT.
MR. BUTLER CALLS THE JULY 18TH INCIDENT CONSISTENT WITH THE
INSPECTORS' BELIEF THAT HIGHLY RELEVANT DOCUMENTS CONTINUE TO
EXIST IN IRAQ IN THE GOVERNMENT'S POSSESSION. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/PLM
23-Jul-98 2:59 PM EDT (1859 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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