DATE=10/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-240146
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ WEAPONS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL URGED IRAQ TODAY
(TUESDAY) TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS,
SAYING IRAQ IS NEAR COMPLETION OF SOME AREAS OF THE INSPECTION
PROCESS. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON
REPORTS.
TEXT: THE COUNCIL RECEIVED BRIEFINGS ON THE SITUATION IN IRAQ
FROM THE HEADS OF THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM,
AND THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, THE I-A-E-A. THEY
INDICATED THAT IN THE AREA OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS, IRAQ HAS NEARLY
SATISFIED BASIC DISARMAMENT INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS. THE
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE I-A-E-A SAID IRAQ COULD SOON GRADUATE TO
REGULAR MONITORING AND VERIFICATION IN THAT AREA.
UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER SAID THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND MISSILE
FILES ARE ALSO CLOSE TO COMPLETION, WITH ONLY A FEW ITEMS STILL
REQUIRING RESOLUTION.
BUT COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THERE ARE REMAINING QUESTIONS ABOUT
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS IN IRAQ. SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JEREMY
GREENSTOCK OF BRITAIN READ A STATEMENT AFTER THE BRIEFINGS:
/// GREENSTOCK ACT ///
THEY NOTED THAT ON THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS FILE RATHER
MORE WORK WAS NEEDED WHICH DEPENDED CRUCIALLY ON FULL
DISCLOSURE BY IRAQ, INCLUDING OF INFORMATION ON B-W
(BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS), WHICH THEY ALREADY SAY THEY HAVE.
IN THE LIGHT OF THESE REPORTS, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
LOOK TO IRAQ TO TAKE THE DECISION TO RESUME COOPERATION.
/// END ACT ///
IRAQ SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM AND THE I-A-E-A IN EARLY
AUGUST, CLAIMING THOSE AGENCIES WERE INTENTIONALLY REFUSING TO
RECOGNIZE IRAQ'S PROGRESS ON DISARMAMENT. U-N INSPECTORS DENY
THOSE CHARGES.
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS REQUIRE THE COMPLETION OF THE
INSPECTION PROCESS BEFORE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER THE
GULF WAR CAN BE LIFTED. IRAQ SAYS IT HAS MET ALL DISARMAMENT
REQUIREMENTS AND IT WANTS THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO LIFT SANCTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS WORKING WITH THE COUNCIL AND
IRAQ, TRYING TO BRING ABOUT A RESUMPTION IN INSPECTIONS. U-N
OFFICIALS INDICATE THE TWO SIDES MAY BE CLOSE TO AN AGREEMENT.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
13-Oct-98 4:07 PM EDT (2007 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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