DATE=8/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236627
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N INSPECTIONS (L&S ) CQ
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THERE ARE CONFLICTING REPORTS COMING FROM IRAQ ON WHETHER
ITS GOVERNMENT IS PREVENTING U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS FROM CARRYING
OUT THEIR WORK. SOME REPORTS SAY ONE U-N TEAM WAS PREVENTED FROM
INSPECTING A SITE OUTSIDE BAGHDAD, BUT IRAQ HAS DENIED THE
REPORT. MORE FROM CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IN OUR MIDDLE EAST
BUREAU.
TEXT: U-N WEAPONS MONITORS BEGAN THEIR WORK NORMALLY (THURSDAY),
DESPITE IRAQ'S ANNOUNCEMENT IT IS SUSPENDING COOPERATION WITH THE
U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION UNTIL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST THEM ARE
LIFTED.
ONE U-N TEAM SAID IT DID NOT GO OUT THURSDAY BECAUSE ITS IRAQI
ESCORT REFUSED TO LEAVE. IN ADDITION, THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC
ENERGY AGENCY, WHICH OVERSEES THE DISMANTLING OF IRAQ'S NUCLEAR
PROGRAM, SAID IT WAS TOLD ITS ACTIVITIES WOULD BE LIMITED TO
CERTAIN DECLARED SITES. ITS DELEGATE CALLED THE RESTRICTION
UNACCEPTABLE.
BUT THE OFFICIAL IRAQI NEWS AGENCY SAID NO U-N TEAM WAS
PREVENTED FROM DOING ITS WORK, AND THE IRAQI AGENCY WORKING WITH
THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION SAID THERE IS NO TEAM FROM THE U-N
SPECIAL COMMISSION OR THE ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY CURRENTLY IN IRAQ.
IT SAID U-N MONITORING EXPERTS ARE CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES
NORMALLY.
/// REST OPT FOR LONG ///
THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED LATE WEDNESDAY ELECTRONIC
MONITORING OF PREVIOUS WEAPONS SITES WOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE
AS A GOODWILL GESTURE. BUT IT SAID IT WOULD NOT ALLOW
INSPECTIONS THAT INFRINGE ON IRAQ'S SOVEREIGNTY OR THE DIGNITY OF
ITS PEOPLE.
THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT DEMANDED THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP OF THE
U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION BE CHANGED AND ITS HEADQUARTERS BE MOVED
FROM NEW YORK TO VIENNA OR GENEVA.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWED THE COLLAPSE OF TALKS TUESDAY BETWEEN
CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER AND IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME
MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ.
MR. BUTLER ENDED HIS VISIT TO BAGHDAD A DAY EARLY, SAYING IRAQI
OFFICIALS DEMANDED HIS TEAM DECLARE IRAQ HAD ELIMINATED ALL ITS
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THIS IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE UNITED
NATIONS WILL CONSIDER LIFTING THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.
MR. BUTLER TOLD THE IRAQI DELEGATION HE WAS NOT PREPARED TO
DECLARE IRAQ IN COMPLIANCE, ALTHOUGH HE LATER SAID THAT WITH FULL
COOPERATION BY THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT, HE THOUGHT THIS GOAL COULD
BE REACHED IN A MATTER OF WEEKS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/PCF/RAE
06-Aug-98 11:27 AM EDT (1527 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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