DATE=8/7/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236691
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N FRIDAY (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N WEAPONS MONITORS IN IRAQ WENT ABOUT THEIR WORK
NORMALLY FRIDAY, TWO DAYS AFTER IRAQ SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH
THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION THAT OVERSEES THE ELIMINATION OF
IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. HOWEVER, V-O-A MIDDLE EAST
CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS THAT INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY
MONITORS HAVE SUSPENDED THEIR INSPECTIONS OF NUCLEAR SITES.
TEXT: THE U-N WEAPONS MONITORS WENT OUT FRIDAY, ACCOMPANIED AS
USUAL BY THEIR IRAQI ESCORTS. THE INSPECTORS DID NOT SPEAK TO
REPORTERS, REFERRING ALL QUESTIONS TO U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW
YORK.
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY INSPECTORS, HOWEVER, SAID THEY HAVE
HALTED THEIR WORK VOLUNTARILY.
IT WAS A SECOND DAY OF OPERATIONS FOR U-N MONITORS SINCE IRAQ
ANNOUNCED IT WAS SUSPENDING COOPERATION WITH THE U-N SPECIAL
COMMISSION THAT OVERSEES IRAQ'S DISARMAMENT PROGRAM. THE
GOVERNMENT ALSO SAID WEDNESDAY IT WAS PROHIBITING SURPRISE
INSPECTIONS OF POSSIBLE WEAPONS SITES UNTIL U-N ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ ARE ENDED.
IRAQ'S ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWED A MEETING LAST MONDAY BETWEEN CHIEF
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER AND IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME
MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ. DURING THE MEETING, THE IRAQI OFFICIAL
REPORTEDLY DEMANDED IMMEDIATE CERTIFICATION THAT IRAQ HAS
ELIMINATED ALL ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THIS
CERTIFICATION IS NEEDED BEFORE U-N OFFICIALS WILL LIFT ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS THAT HAVE SERIOUSLY HURT THE IRAQI ECONOMY.
MR. BUTLER REPORTEDLY REFUSED, LEADING TO AN EARLY END TO THE
TALKS AND TO HIS VISIT.
/// REST OPT ///
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL THURSDAY REACTED TO THE DEVELOPMENTS,
CALLING THE SUSPENSION OF THE U-N INSPECTIONS TOTALLY
UNACCEPTABLE AND A VIOLATION OF AN ACCORD LAST FEBRUARY THAT
DEFUSED A CRISIS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AND A U-S MILITARY
BUILD-UP IN THE REGION.
THE COUNCIL, IN A SIGNAL THAT IT WISHES TO AVOID A NEW
CONFRONTATION, CALLED FOR INCREASED DIALOGUE AND SAID IT INTENDED
TO RESPOND FAVORABLY TO FUTURE PROGRESS IN IRAQ'S DISARMAMENT
PROGRAM.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TOLD REPORTERS HE HAD SPOKEN TO
MR. AZIZ AND HAD DETECTED SOME FLEXIBILITY IN IRAQ'S NEW
POSITION. HE SAID THE IRAQI OFFICIAL EXPRESSED A DEGREE OF
FRUSTRATION THAT THE SANCTIONS WERE CONTINUING, DESPITE WHAT WAS
PERCEIVED AS CONSIDERABLE IRAQI EFFORTS TO COMPLY WITH U-N
DEMANDS.
MR. ANNAN SAID IT WAS TIME TO REASSESS THE SITUATION AND ADDED
THAT IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THE IRAQIS IN
THE FUTURE. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/RRM
07-Aug-98 8:46 AM EDT (1246 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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