DATE=8/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237287
TITLE=U-N - IRAQ / DEADLOCK
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQ IS (TUESDAY) REFUSING TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH
UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS, DESPITE INCREASING U-N
PRESSURE FOR IT TO DO SO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS
ON THE ESCALATING TENSION BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: DIPLOMATS ATTENDING U-N SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS SAY
THEY ARE INTENTIONALLY TAKING A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH IN THE
DISPUTE WITH IRAQ OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. THEY ARE DOING THIS,
THEY SAY, IN ORDER TO GIVE BAGHDAD AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES AS
POSSIBLE TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION
COMMISSION -- UNSCOM -- AND THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY
AGENCY, THE I-A-E-A.
ON TUESDAY, THE SECURITY COUNCIL SENT LETTERS TO UNSCOM AND THE
I-A-E-A REMINDING THEM OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO CARRY OUT
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ, REGARDLESS OF BAGHDAD'S THREAT NOT
TO COOPERATE. DANILO TURK, OF SLOVENIA, IS PRESIDENT OF THE
SECURITY COUNCIL.
/// TURK ACT ///
WELL, I THINK THE LETTERS, ON THE ONE HAND, SUMMARIZE
THE POSITION OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL THAT IRAQ MUST
COMPLY WITH THE RESOLUTIONS - RESOLUTION SIX-EIGHT-SEVEN
- WHICH IS THE STANDARD OF WORK WITH REGARD TO THE
DISARMAMENT OF IRAQ.
/// END ACT ///
MR. TURK SAYS IF UNSCOM AND THE I-A-E-A FACE OBSTACLES IN THEIR
WORK, THEY SHOULD REPORT THEM TO THE COUNCIL, WHICH WILL THEN
DECIDE WHAT, IF ANY, ACTION TO TAKE. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY FEEL
IT IS TOO EARLY TO CONSIDER A MILITARY RESPONSE.
FOR ITS PART, IRAQ IS NOT SHOWING ANY INDICATION THAT IT PLANS
TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH THE U-N INSPECTORS.
IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NIZAR HAMDOON, SAYS IT
IS UP TO THE UNITED NATIONS TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE
LATEST DEADLOCK. HE SAYS THE SOLUTION IRAQ WANTS IS THE
IMMEDIATE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL
AFTER THE GULF WAR.
/// HAMDOON ACT ///
WE CANNOT CONTINUE WITH THIS. WE HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED.
AND WE HAVE REACHED A LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION THAT HAS LED
US TO THE LAYING DOWN OF OUR TERMS (INDICATING) THE WAYS
OF KEEPING COOPERATION. OTHERWISE, IF UNSCOM DOES NOT
MOVE TOWARD THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS OR CLOSING THE
FILES, IRAQ IS NOT GOING TO COOPERATE IN THE FUTURE.
/// END ACT ///
THE LAST MAJOR DEADLOCK BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS, IN
FEBRUARY, ALSO FOCUSSED ON THE INSPECTION PROCESS. U-N
SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TRAVELED TO BAGHDAD FOR EMERGENCY
TALKS ON THE ISSUE WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN AND LEFT WITH AN AGREEMENT
TO RESUME COOPERATION ON THE INSPECTIONS.
THIS TIME MR. ANNAN IS VACATIONING IN EUROPE AND AFRICA AND
CLEARLY HAS NO INTENTION OF INTERRUPTING HIS VISIT. HIS
SPOKESMAN SAYS ONLY THAT MR. ANNAN IS PLEASED THAT THE SECURITY
COUNCIL APPROACH TO THE DISPUTE IS LOW-KEY AND NOT
CONFRONTATIONAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
18-Aug-98 3:42 PM EDT (1942 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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