DATE=8/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236492
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TODAY (TUESDAY)
DESCRIBED THE LATEST ARMS INSPECTION TROUBLES WITH IRAQ AS A
"HICCUP," SAYING HE HOPES TALKS ON THE ISSUE WILL RESUME SOON.
V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: MR. ANNAN SAYS HE SPOKE BRIEFLY ON THE TELEPHONE WITH U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER ABOUT THE BREAKDOWN IN
INSPECTIONS TALKS IN BAGHDAD. MR. BUTLER CUT SHORT HIS VISIT TO
IRAQ ON TUESDAY WHEN NO PROGRESS WAS MADE IN TALKS ABOUT THE
DESTRUCTION OF IRAQ'S MISSILES AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS.
MR. ANNAN SAYS HE HOPES THE LATEST PROBLEM WILL BE OVERCOME SOON.
/// ANNAN ACT ///
I WOULD HOPE THAT WHEN MR. BUTLER COMES BACK, WE WILL BE
ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR WORK AND THAT THIS MAY BE A MAJOR
HICCUP THAT WE CAN OVERCOME, I HOPE.
/// END ACT ///
MR. BUTLER IS EXPECTED TO RETURN WEDNESDAY TO U-N HEADQUARTERS IN
NEW YORK, WHERE HE WILL BRIEF MR. ANNAN AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL
ON HIS MEETINGS IN BAGHDAD.
IN THOSE MEETINGS, MR. BUTLER PROPOSED TO EXTEND HIS WORK ON
MISSILE AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS. THAT PROPOSAL WAS REJECTED BY
IRAQ.
IRAQ SAYS IT HAS MET ALL ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE WEAPONS
INSPECTIONS AND THAT FURTHER INSPECTIONS ARE UNFAIR. IT SAY THEY
ARE BEING USED AS AN EXCUSE BY THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN TO
MAINTAIN SANCTIONS AGAINST BAGHDAD AND PUNISH THE IRAQI PEOPLE.
U-N RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR CANNOT
BE LIFTED UNTIL INSPECTORS VERIFY THAT IRAQ HAS DESTROYED ALL ITS
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. INSPECTORS SAY SOME PROGRESS HAS
BEEN MADE BUT MUCH MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED, PARTICULARLY IN
THE AREA OF MISSILES AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS, BEFORE THEY CAN
COMPLETE THEIR WORK. (SIGNED)
NEB.UN/MPR/LSF
04-Aug-98 10:48 AM EDT (1448 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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