DATE=8/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2236655-
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: FOR THE SECOND TIME IN SIX MONTHS, THE UNITED STATES IS
AGAIN FACING A POSSIBLE CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ OVER BAGHDAD'S
REFUSAL TO ALLOW THE UNITED NATIONS TO SEARCH FOR SUSPECTED
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. WE GET DETAILS FROM CORRESPONDENT
NICK SIMEONE.
TEXT: AGAIN, IRAQ IS DECLARING ITS COOPERATION WITH UNITED
NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO BE OVER. AND AGAIN, THE UNITED
STATES AND THE UNITED NATIONS ARE BOTH FACED WITH A DECISION
ABOUT HOW TO RESPOND.
FOR THE MOMENT, THE ISSUE REMAINS IN THE HANDS OF THE U-N
SECURITY COUNCIL. BUT WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN P-J CROWLEY TOLD
REPORTERS BAGHDAD IS MISTAKEN IF IT THINKS IT WILL SEE AN EARLY
LIFTING OF U-N SANCTIONS BY DECIDING TO END COOPERATION WITH
WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
// CROWLEY ACT //
WE'RE NOT GOING TO PLAY IRAQ'S GAME HERE. WE'VE HAD
SITUATIONS OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS OF IRAQ WITHHOLDING
SUPPORT, GRANTING SUPPORT, AND WE'RE JUST NOT GOING TO
PLAY THIS GAME. THEIR OBLIGATIONS ARE CLEAR. THEY MUST
FULLY COMPLY WITH UNSCOM, (U-N SPECIAL COMMISION) FULLY
COMPLY WITH THE I-A-E-A (INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY
AGENCY) IN HAVING FULL ACCOUNTING OF THEIR WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION AND SANCTIONS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE
UNTIL THEY DO SO.
// END ACT //
IN FEBRUARY, THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN THREATENED TO USE
FORCE AGAINST IRAQ WHEN BAGHDAD BLOCKED THE WORK OF U-N WEAPONS
SPECIALISTS WHILE FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA ADOPTED A MORE
FLEXIBLE STANCE.
THIS TIME THOUGH, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN ANN
GAZEAU-SECRET EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT BAGHDAD WOULD DECIDE
TO END COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AT A TIME WHEN WEAPONS
INSPECTORS APPEAR TO BE READY TO WRAP UP SOME OF THEIR WORK.
// GAZEAU-SECRET ACT //
THE DECISION TO BREAK OFF TALKS AND COOPERATION WITH THE
UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMISSION BY IRAQ IS VERY
DISTURBING. WE CAN NOT ACCEPT SUCH A DECISION AND WE
HOPE THAT IRAQ WILL NOT IMPLEMENT IT. AFTER SEVEN
YEARS OF INSPECTIONS, DISARMAMENT IS NOT FAR FROM BEING
ACHIEVED.
// END ACT //
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS WEIGHING OPTIONS IF IRAQ REFUSES TO
BACK DOWN. THE UNITED STATES HAS SOME 19-THOUSAND MILITARY
PERSONNEL DEPLOYED IN THE GULF REGION -- ALONG WITH WARSHIPS AND
FIGHTER JETS -- ENOUGH TO MOUNT AN ATTACK IF SUCH A DECISION WAS
MADE. BUT AT THIS POINT, NO ONE ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS
DISCUSSING A MILITARY RESPONSE. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/PT
06-Aug-98 5:55 PM EDT (2155 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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