DATE=9/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238379
TITLE=SECURITY COUNCIL/ IRAQ (L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN NEW YORK TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY IN SUPPORT OF A REVISED RESOLUTION SUSPENDING
THE REVIEW OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA
SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: THE RESOLUTION CALLS FOR THE SUSPENSION OF THE SIX-MONTH
SANCTIONS REVIEW UNTIL BAGHDAD RESUMES COOPERATION WITH
INTERNATIONAL INSPECTION TEAMS LOOKING FOR WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ. BY SUSPENDING THE REVIEW SCHEDULED FOR
OCTOBER, THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS, ESSENTIALLY, LEAVING SANCTIONS
IN PLACE INDEFINITELY.
IRAQ ANNOUNCED ITS SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH WEAPONS
INSPECTORS ON AUGUST 5TH, SAYING ITS WEAPONS FILES SHOULD BE
CLOSED AND INTRUSIVE INSPECTIONS SHOULD END.
THE NEW SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CONDEMNS IRAQ'S AUGUST 5TH
ANNOUNCEMENT AND DEMANDS THAT BAGHDAD RESCIND THE DECISION AND
BEGIN COOPERATING WITH THE INSPECTION TEAMS IMMEDIATELY.
BUT THE RESOLUTION ALSO INCLUDES A NEW ELEMENT -- A COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW OF IRAQ'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE GULF WAR CEASEFIRE DEMANDS.
IN THE RESOLUTION, THE SECURITY COUNCIL ALSO INVITED SECRETARY
GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO EXPRESS HIS VIEWS ON THE SITUATION. THE
ADDITIONS WERE ADDED TO THE RESOLUTION AT THE INSISTENCE OF CHINA
AND FRANCE TO OFFER SOME ENCOURAGEMENT TO IRAQ.
SPEAKING WITH REPORTERS BEFORE THE VOTE, IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE
UNITED NATIONS, NIZAR HAMDOON SAID THE MORE PROMINENT A ROLE THE
SECRETARY GENERAL PLAYS IN THE SITUATION, THE MORE INTERESTED
IRAQ BECOMES.
THE UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, PETER
BURLEIGH, SAYS THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO
IRAQ TO COOPERATE WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAMS OR FACE
CONTINED SUSPENSIONS OF SANCTIONS REVIEWS.
//// BURLEIGH ACT ////
IT IS AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. WE HOPE THE IRAQIS WILL
TAKE IT IN THE SPIRIT IN WHICH IT WAS INTENDED BY THE
COUNCIL, WHICH IS THAT THERE IS AN URGENT NEED BY IRAQ
TO CHANGE ITS POLICY AND COME BACK INTO COMPLIANCE. THIS
IS THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL THAT THE IRAQI
SIDE IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT. AND IT IS THE ONLY ROUTE
TO THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS. THAT IS, THEY HAVE TO
COMPLY FIRST AND THEN CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO OTHER
ISSUES.
/// END ACT ///
AMBASSADOR BURLEIGH SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE UNITED STATES
WANT THE INSPECTION TEAMS BACK ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ DOING THEIR
JOBS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM BAGHDAD. (SIGNED)
NEB.NY/BJS/PT
09-Sep-98 6:31 PM EDT (2231 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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