DATE=9/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239384
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ HELD TALKS AT U-N
HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK (MONDAY) WITH U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI
ANNAN, BUT NO AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON ENDING A DISPUTE OVER
U-N DISARMAMENT INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ. UNITED NATIONS
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: AFTER THE TALKS, MR. AZIZ TOLD REPORTERS IRAQ IS WILLING
TO COOPERATE WITH MR. ANNAN'S PROPOSAL FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
OF THE INSPECTION PROCESS. BUT HE SAID THE REVIEW ALONE IS NOT
ENOUGH TO END IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH THE U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM. HE REITERATED HIS
GOVERNMENT'S STAND THAT IRAQ HAS MET ALL U-N DISARMAMENT
REQUIREMENTS. HE SAID SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR
SHOULD THEREFORE BE LIFTED.
/// AZIZ ACT ///
THE IDEA THAT IRAQ SHOULD DO THIS OR THAT CONCESSION
BEFORE THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW TAKES PLACE IS NOT
LEGAL. IT IS NOT LOGICAL. IRAQ HAS COMPLIED WITH THE
U-N RESOLUTIONS FOR SEVEN-AND-ONE-HALF YEARS. AND THE
SECURITY COUNCIL HAS NOT TAKEN ANY STEPS TO REDUCE OR
LIFT THE SANCTIONS ACCORDING TO THE LETTER OF ITS OWN
RESOLUTION.
/// END ACT ///
MR. AZIZ AND THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUE FOR
MORE THAN AN HOUR. MR. AZIZ SAID THEIR TALKS WILL CONTINUE LATER
IN THE WEEK.
IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM HAS LED TO NEW
TENSION IN TIES BETWEEN THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL AND IRAQ.
BAGHDAD SAYS UNSCOM IS BEING MANIPULATED BY THE UNITED STATES AND
IS REFUSING TO RECOGNIZE PROGRESS MADE IN THE DISARMAMENT
PROCESS.
UNSCOM OFFICIALS DENY THAT CHARGE. THEY SAY IRAQ HAS MADE SOME
PROGRESS, BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS. UNSCOM
OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED IRAQ IS HIDING ELEMENTS OF ITS
PROGRAMS TO CREATE AND DEPLOY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
MR. AZIZ STRESSED IRAQ IS CONTINUING TO WORK WITH U-N INSPECTORS
IN SOME AREAS, PARTICULARLY IN THE MONITORING OF SITES ALREADY
EXAMINED. ASKED IF IRAQ WILL COOPERATE WITH NEW INSPECTIONS, HE
SAID THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR NEW PROVOCATIONS.
MR. AZIZ IS IN NEW YORK FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL DEBATE OF THE U-N
GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HE IS SCHEDULED TO SPEAK TO THE ASSEMBLY
WEDNESDAY. HE HAS ALSO SCHEDULED SEPARATE TALKS WITH SEVERAL
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED ON THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, TO DISCUSS THE
INSPECTION DISPUTE. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE
28-Sep-98 2:34 PM EDT (1834 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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