DATE=8/7/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236723
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / NEXT STEP (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK DENOUNCED
IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH U-N ARMS INSPECTORS. BUT
THE COUNCIL DID NOT ANNOUNCE ANY SPECIFIC MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO
THE IRAQI MOVE. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON
SPOKE WITH SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT THE LATEST STALEMATE
WITH IRAQ.
TEXT: DIPLOMATS INVOLVED IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS SAY
THEY ARE NOT PLANNING ANY IMMEDIATE PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST
IRAQ. U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON SAYS A STRONG RESPONSE IS
NEEDED. OTHER DIPLOMATS SAY THE SITUATION REMAINS SOMEWHAT
CONFUSED. THEY SAY THAT WHILE IRAQ SAYS IT IS SUSPENDING
COOPERATION WITH THE ARMS INSPECTION TEAM, STATEMENTS FROM
BAGHDAD HAVE NOT CONSISTENTLY BEEN FOLLOWED UP WITH ACTIONS.
MORE TIME IS NEEDED, DIPLOMATS SAY, TO DETERMINE HOW SERIOUS THE
SITUATION IS.
SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DANILO TURK, SLOVENIA'S AMBASSADOR TO
THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYS ONE COURSE OF ACTION COULD BE TO FOLLOW
UP ON A PROPOSAL MADE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO CARRY
OUT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE INSPECTION PROCESS.
/// TURK ACT ///
THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW IS NOT YET FULLY DEVELOPED AS
A CONCEPT, BUT AS A GENERAL NOTION WE, AS THE SLOVENIAN
DELEGATION SUPPORT THAT, AND THERE ARE OTHER DELEGATIONS
IN THE COUNCIL WHO ALSO FEEL THAT THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO
PROCEED.
/// END ACT ///
SUCH A REVIEW WOULD MOST LIKELY BE LED BY A U-N SPECIAL ENVOY AND
INVOLVE A REASSESSMENT OF BOTH THE SANCTIONS AND INSPECTIONS
IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR. IRAQ SAYS IT HAS MET ALL U-N
REQUIREMENTS IN THOSE AREAS -- A CLAIM DISPUTED BY WEAPONS
INSPECTION CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER.
WHEN ASKED WHEN SUCH A REVIEW MIGHT TAKE PLACE, DIPLOMATS SAY IT
COULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO BEGIN.
A MORE IMMEDIATE MEASURE NOW UNDER DISCUSSION IS A PROPOSAL THAT
MR. ANNAN OR THE SECURITY COUNCIL INVITE IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME
MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ TO NEW YORK FOR TALKS ON THE LATEST DISPUTE.
U-N OFFICIALS SAY MR. ANNAN IS CONVINCED SUCH A VISIT WOULD HELP
REDUCE MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR DISCUSSIONS ON
SUBSTANTIVE DISPUTES TO TAKE PLACE IN A LESS HEATED ATMOSPHERE.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
07-Aug-98 2:49 PM EDT (1849 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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