DATE=8/5/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236594
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N REACT (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS CONSIDERING HOW TO REACT TO IRAQ'S
DECISION TO SUSPEND COOPERATION WITH UNITED NATIONS ARMS
INSPECTORS. RUSSIA'S U-N REPRESENTATIVE SAYS IRAQ IS NOT
ENTIRELY TO BLAME FOR THE NEW TROUBLES. U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL
KOFI ANNAN HAS BEEN HOLDING TALKS ON THE ISSUE WITH HIS TOP
AIDES. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS
BUREAU.
TEXT: IRAQ'S DECISION TO SUSPEND FORMAL COOPERATION WITH U-N
ARMS INSPECTORS HAS CLEARLY RAISED CONCERN AT THE UNITED NATIONS.
CHIEF ARMS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER RETURNED TO U-N HEADQUARTERS
WEDNESDAY AND IMMEDIATELY BRIEFED SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN ON
HIS LATEST TALKS IN BAGHDAD, WHICH TRIGGERED THE IRAQI
SUSPENSION.
MR. BUTLER STOPPED SHORT OF DESCRIBING THE PROBLEMS WITH IRAQ AS
A CRISIS. HE SAID IRAQ IS SHOWING, WHAT HE CALLED, "SYNDROME
LIKE BEHAVIOR ... GOING AROUND THE SAME TRACK AGAIN." HE SAID IT
IS UP TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO NEXT.
IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID, HIS INSPECTORS WILL CONTINUE THEIR WORK
IN BAGHDAD. IRAQI DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS AGREE, SAYING
THE SUSPENSION OF FORMAL COOPERATION WILL HAVE AN IMPACT MAINLY
ON TECHNICAL MEETINGS, NOT ROUTINE INSPECTIONS.
MR. BUTLER -- HEAD OF THE UNSCOM INSPECTION TEAM -- WILL BRIEF
THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY. THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS
POSTPONED A PLANNED TRIP TO PORTUGAL TO TAKE PART IN THAT
BRIEFING.
THE COUNCIL MET ON OTHER MATTERS ON WEDNESDAY, AFTER WHICH
RUSSIA'S ACTING AMBASSADOR, YURIY FEDOTOV, SAID HE BELIEVES IRAQ
IS NOT ENTIRELY TO BLAME FOR THE LATEST TROUBLES.
/// FEDOTOV ACT ///
WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN BAGHDAD BUT
WE ARE STRONGLY CONVINCED THAT IRAQ IS NOT THE ONLY ONE
TO BLAME FOR THIS SITUATION WHEN A DECISION HAS BEEN
TAKEN TO BREAK DISCUSSION, BREAK DIALOGUE. THE DECISION
AS WE UNDERSTAND WAS TAKEN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF UNSCOM
WITHOUT DULY CONSULTING THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE
SECURITY COUNCIL.
/// END ACT ///
MR. FEDOTOV SAID THERE HAVE BEEN NO REAL POSITIVE MOVES FROM THE
UNITED NATIONS TO RECOGNIZE WHAT HE CALLED IRAQ'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN
COOPERATING WITH THE INSPECTION TEAM. IN AN APPARENT REFERENCE
TO THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN, THE RUSSIAN DIPLOMAT SAID
POLITICAL MOTIVES SEEM TO BE BEHIND THE RELUCTANCE OF SOME
COUNTRIES TO GIVE IRAQ CREDIT FOR PROGRESS MADE SO FAR.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
THE LATEST TALKS IN BAGHDAD BROKE DOWN WHEN MR. BUTLER SAID MORE
TIME IS NEEDED TO VERIFY IRAQ'S CLAIMS TO HAVE DESTROYED ITS
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- PARTICULARLY IT MISSILES AND
CHEMICAL WEAPONS. IRAQ DENOUNCED THE STATEMENT AS AN EFFORT BY
UNSCOM TO UNFAIRLY EXTEND THE INSPECTION PROCESS AND CUT OFF THE
TALKS.
IRAQ IS DEMANDING THE INSPECTIONS BE CONCLUDED IMMEDIATELY. IT
CLAIMS TO HAVE MET ALL U-N REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE
INSPECTIONS. MR. BUTLER SAYS THE VERIFICATION PROCESS IS NOT YET
COMPLETE. SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY THE VERIFICATION
PROCESS MUST BE FINISHED BEFORE SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF
WAR CAN BE LIFTED. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
05-Aug-98 6:53 PM EDT (2253 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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