DATE=8/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237272
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// EDS: ENVOY RETURNS TO NEW YORK ON WEDNESDAY ///
INTRO: THE U-N'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO IRAQ SAYS THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN IRAQ'S DECISION TO SUSPEND COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTORS AND AS A RESULT, HE IS RETURNING TO U-N HEADQUARTERS
TO BRIEF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT
SCOTT BOBB REPORTS THE SPECIAL ENVOY'S ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER A
FIVE-DAY VISIT TO BAGHDAD.
TEXT: U-N SPECIAL ENVOY PRAKASH SHAH TOLD REPORTERS IN BAGHDAD
(TUESDAY) THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT STANDS BY ITS DECISION TO SUSPEND
COOPERATION WITH THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION AND WILL CONTINUE TO
PROHIBIT NEW INSPECTIONS OF POSSIBLE IRAQI WEAPONS SITES.
MISTER SHAH SAID HE DELIVERED TO IRAQI OFFICIALS A MESSAGE FROM
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN, SAYING RECONSIDERATION OF THE
DECISION WOULD ALLOW THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON WHAT
WERE TERMED BROADER ISSUES. THE TERM IS INTERPRETED TO MEAN THE
U-N MANDATED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS WHICH IRAQ HAS DEMANDED BE ENDED
BEFORE IT WILL RESUME COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.
IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE ENGAGED IN AN EXERCISE IN POLITE
CONFRONTATION SINCE IRAQ ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO SUSPEND
COOPERATION AND MISTER ANNAN SENT HIS SPECIAL ENVOY TO BAGHDAD.
U-N TEAMS CONTINUE DAILY MONITORING OF EXISTING IRAQI WEAPONS
SITES, BUT SAY THEY WILL NOT INSPECT ANY NEW SITES. T HE IRAQI
GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED ITS ESCORTS TO ACCOMPANY THE U-N
MONITORING MISSIONS BUT WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO GO TO NEW SITES.
HOWEVER, BOTH SIDES SAY THEY WISH TO CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE, AND A
U-N OFFICIAL TOLD V-O-A TUESDAY THE MONITORING ACTIVITIES HAVE
CONTINUED WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.
THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT SAYS THERE IS NO POINT IN COOPERATING WITH
U-N INSPECTORS SINCE THEY ARE ONLY SEEKING WAYS TO MAINTAIN THE
SANCTIONS. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS REITERATED THAT THE
SANCTIONS WILL BE MAINTAINED UNTIL THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT
COOPERATES AND IS CERTIFIED TO HAVE ELIMINATED ALL ITS WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION.
SIX MONTHS AGO, A SIMILAR CONFRONTATION LED THE U-S AND BRITISH
GOVERNMENTS TO BUILD UP THEIR FORCES IN THE REGION AND TO
THREATEN MILITARY AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ. THIS TIME, THE
THREAT OF FORCE IN ORDER TO BRING IRAQI COMPLIANCE HAS FAILED TO
MATERIALIZE.
ONE REASON IS SAID TO BE A WEAKENING RESOLVE AMONG SOME MEMBERS
OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE THE SANCTIONS. ANOTHER IS
SAID TO BE PREOCCUPATION OF WORLD LEADERS WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER
CRISES, IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH
18-Aug-98 11:48 AM EDT (1548 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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