DATE=7/29/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236240
TITLE=IRAQ / NUKE REPORT (L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT WILL NOT SUPPORT A PROPOSED
U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION STATING THAT IRAQ HAS DESTROYED
ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS
FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION -- SPONSORED BY RUSSIA -- IS BASED
ON AN INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY REPORT -- ISSUED EARLIER
THIS WEEK -- WHICH SAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE IRAQ HAS ANY
NUCLEAR CAPABILITY.
BUT THE AGENCY -- CHARGED WITH DESTROYING IRAQ'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS
-- ALSO WARNS THAT IRAQ HAS THE INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY TO
REACTIVATE ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM IN THE FUTURE. AND THE I-A-E-A
REPORT REFERS REPEATEDLY TO IRAQ'S LACK OF COOPERATION THROUGHOUT
THE INSPECTION PROCESS.
NOW, RUSSIA, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS,
WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE I-A-E-A'S INTRUSIVE INSPECTIONS OF IRAQ'S
NUCLEAR CAPACITY IN FAVOR OF LONG-TERM TERM MONITORING AND
VERIFICATION.
IF THE SECURITY COUNCIL TOOK SUCH AN ACTION IT WOULD BE A FIRST
STEP TOWARD LIFTING U-N SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ. THE U-N SPECIAL
COMMISSION RESPONSIBLE FOR DISARMING IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL AND
CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND BALLISTIC MISSILES MUST ALSO AGREE THAT IRAQ
HAS MET ITS STANDARDS BEFORE THE REMOVAL OF SANCTIONS CAN BE
DISCUSSED.
U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAYS THERE
IS NO POINT IN DISCUSSING THE REMOVAL OF SANCTIONS BECAUSE IRAQ
HAS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COOPERATE WITH U-N TEAMS INSPECTING
IRAQ'S ARSENAL OF WEAPONS.
/// RICHARDSON ACT ///
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON BASED ON THE I-A-E-A'S
REPORT FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO TAKE ANY ACTION
FAVORABLE TO IRAQ. THE I-A-E-A REPORT MAKES IT
ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT IRAQ HAS MADE NO PROGRESS, THAT IT
HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON WEAPONS DESIGN, ON
URANIUM ENRICHMENT. ACCORDINGLY, THERE IS NO REASON TO
CLOSE THE NUCLEAR FILE.
/// END ACT ///
IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS NIZAR HAMDOON (NEE ZAIR
HAM DUNE) SAYS IT IS TIME FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO CLOSE THE
NUCLEAR FILE AND BEGIN CONSIDERATION OF LIFTING THE SANCTIONS,
DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM THE BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.
/// HAMDOON ACT ///
THE I-A-E-A ADMITTED IN PAST REPORTS AND IN TODAY'S
REPORT THAT THERE ARE NO PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ
AND THEY HAVE DETECTED NO SUCH PROHIBITED ITEMS AND
ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE COUNTRY. IT IS AS SIMPLE AS
SAYING THAT THE WHOLE DISARMAMENT AREA IS CLOSED. THE
WHOLE FILE SHOULD BE MOVING INTO THE MONITORING PHASE.
/// END ACT ///
MR. HAMDOON SAYS THE TONE OF THE CURRENT REPORT IS LESS POSITIVE
THAN EARLIER I-A-E-A REPORTS BECAUSE THE AGENCY HAS BEEN UNDER
PRESSURE FROM THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION AND ITS HEAD,
RICHARD BUTLER.
MR. BUTLER IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT BAGHDAD NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS
PROGRESS BEING MADE BY U-N INSPECTORS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/
29-Jul-98 4:00 PM EDT (2000 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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