DATE=10/31/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-240996
TITLE=U-N/IRAQ INSPECTIONS UPDATE (S & L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HAS DENOUNCED IRAQ FOR
ITS DECISION TO HALT COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION
COMMISSION, UNSCOM. THE STATEMENT CAME SATURDAY AT THE END OF A
RARE WEEKEND MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, AS WE HEAR FROM OUR U-N
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.
TEXT: AFTER MEETING FOR JUST OVER AN HOUR, THE COUNCIL RELEASED
A STATEMENT DESCRIBING IRAQ'S DECISION AS A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. IT CONDEMNS THE IRAQI DECISION AND DEMANDS
THAT THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AND UNCONDITIONALLY RESUME
FULL COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION.
THE STATEMENT DOES NOT CONTAIN THREATS OF SUBSTANTIVE PUNITIVE
MEASURES BUT SAYS THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THE
ISSUE DURING THE COMING DAYS.
IRAQ ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO SUSPEND ALL COOPERATION WITH THE
INSPECTION COMMISSION, IN A STATEMENT OUT OF BAGHDAD, AS A
PROTEST AGAINST THE U-N BACKED DISARMAMENT PROCESS AND
INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS.
U-N INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN IN IRAQ ATTEMPTING TO VERIFY IRAQ'S
CLAIM THAT IT NO LONGER HAS ANY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. SUCH
VERIFICATION IS REQUIRED BY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS APPROVED AFTER
THE GULF WAR.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
IRAQ'S LATEST MOVE FOLLOWS A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION
WITH UNSCOM IN AUGUST. AS RECENTLY AS FRIDAY, THE COUNCIL WAS
DISCUSSING WAYS TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE. ON FRIDAY, THE COUNCIL
VOICED SUPPORT FOR A PROPOSAL FROM U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI
ANNAN THAT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF IRAQI COMPLIANCE WITH
RELEVANT COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS BE CARRIED OUT. THE COUNCIL SENT A
LETTER TO MR. ANNAN RESPONDING TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY IRAQ AND
PROMISING THAT THE REVIEW WOULD BEGIN VERY SOON AFTER IRAQ
RESUMES COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM.
THE COUNCIL STATEMENT SATURDAY REITERATES COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR THE
REVIEW PROPOSAL. IT SAYS THE LATEST DECISION BY IRAQ HAS DELAYED
THAT PROCESS BUT DOES NOT PROVIDE DETAILS.
DIPLOMATS SAY THE COUNCIL STATEMENT IS DESIGNED TO CLEARLY STATE
THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM WHILE TRYING TO AVOID AGGRAVATING
THE SITUATION. THEY SAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IRAQ ENGAGED IN
THE DISARMAMENT PROCESS, AS THAT OFFERS THE BEST MEANS FOR
PREVENTING IT FROM DEVELOPING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN DESCRIBED THE IRAQI MOVE AS A
VIOLATION OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS -- ECHOING HIS
REACTION TO THE PARTIAL SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION IN AUGUST.
ASKED IF HE WILL PLAY A DIRECT ROLE IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THE
DEADLOCK, HE SAID THAT IS AN ISSUE FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO
DECIDE. MR. ANNAN MAINTAINS HIGH-LEVEL CONTACTS WITH IRAQI
OFFICIALS. HE DEFUSED A SIMILAR CRISIS EARLIER THIS YEAR BY
TRAVELLING TO BAGHDAD AND HOLDING TALKS WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT
SADDAM HUSSEIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/SD
31-Oct-98 7:40 PM EST (0040 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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