DATE=8/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237078
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N FRIDAY (S&L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL ENVOY TO IRAQ IS WAITING FOR A
RESPONSE FROM THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT TO A MESSAGE HE DELIVERED
THURSDAY FROM THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT
BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN CAIRO THE MESSAGE
URGES IRAQ TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
TEXT: U-N SPECIAL ENVOY PRAKASH SHAH HAS CALLED HIS FIRST
MEETING WITH IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ CORDIAL AND
SAYS HE TOLD THE IRAQI OFFICIAL THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL BELIEVES
UNANIMOUSLY THAT IRAQ SHOULD CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH THE U-N
SPECIAL COMMISSION.
MISTER SHAH SAYS HE WAS TOLD THE MESSAGE WOULD BE CONVEYED TO THE
IRAQI LEADERSHIP. HE SAYS TARIQ AZIZ TOLD HIM HE WANTS TO
CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE BUT HE WANTS TO CONVEY IRAQI CONCERNS OVER
THE CONTINUING INSPECTIONS, WHICH ARE PREVENTING AN END TO
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.
IRAQ ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK IT WAS SUSPENDING COOPERATION WITH THE
U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION UNTIL THE SANCTIONS ARE LIFTED. THE U-N
SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
///REST OPT FOR LONG///
U-N OFFICIALS, HOWEVER, ARE SEEKING A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE
LATEST CONFRONTATION IN ORDER TO AVOID ANOTHER MILITARY
CONFRONTATION LIKE THE ONE THAT OCCURRED DURING A SIMILAR
STANDOFF EARLIER THIS YEAR.
AT THAT TIME, THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS RE-INFORCED THEIR
MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE REGION AND THREATENED AIR STRIKES IF THE
INSPECTIONS DID NOT RESUME. THE CRISIS WAS DEFUSED FOLLOWING A
VISIT TO BAGHDAD BY U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN, WHO THEN
APPOINTED MISTER SHAH AS HIS SPECIAL ENVOY.
THE INSPECTIONS RESUMED AND CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD
BUTLER SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE IRAQI COOPERATION.
RELATIONS SOURED LAST WEEK AFTER MISTER BUTLER REFUSED A DEMAND
TO DECLARE IRAQ IN COMPLIANCE AND IRAQ SUSPENDED ITS COOPERATION.
SINCE THEN, ROUTINE MONITORING OF KNOWN WEAPONS SITES HAS
CONTINUED BUT NEW INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN HALTED.
THE WASHINGTON POST NEWSPAPER FRIDAY QUOTED DIPLOMATIC SOURCES AS
SAYING U-N INSPECTORS SOUGHT TO INSPECT TWO MAJOR NEW SITES LAST
MONTH. THE DAILY SAYS THEY DECIDED NOT TO(CARRY OUT
INSPECTIONS), AT THE URGING OF SENIOR U-S OFFICIALS, WHO
REPORTEDLY WISHED TO AVOID ANOTHER CRISIS. U-S OFFICIALS HAVE
DENIED THE REPORT. MISTER BUTLER DESCRIBES IT AS DISTORTED.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SB/LMK
14-Aug-98 9:09 AM EDT (1309 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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