DATE=11/1/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241005
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N SUNDAY (S&L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN IRAQ, WEAPONS INSPECTIONS SUNDAY WERE SUSPENDED BY ALL
U-N TEAMS EXCEPT THOSE MONITORING IRAQ'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM.
THE SUSPENSION FOLLOWED IRAQ'S ANNOUNCEMENT SATURDAY THAT IT WAS
ENDING ALL COOPERATION WITH THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION, AS WE
HEAR FROM CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IN OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN
CAIRO.
TEXT: INSPECTORS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY WENT
ABOUT THEIR WORK NORMALLY IN IRAQ SUNDAY, BUT ALL OTHER U-N
INSPECTORS STAYED HOME.
THE STAND DOWN WAS ORDERED AFTER IRAQ ANNOUNCED SATURDAY IT WILL
NOT COOPERATE WITH THE U-N PROGRAM UNTIL THE SECURITY COUNCIL
REVIEWS THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ, AND REMOVES WHAT
IRAQ TERMED -- U-S SPIES AND AGENTS -- WORKING FOR THE
COMMISSION.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED THIS REVIEW FRIDAY, BUT REPORTEDLY
FOUND THAT LIFTING THE SANCTIONS WAS FIRMLY LINKED BY A PREVIOUS
RESOLUTION TO CERTIFICATION IRAQ HAD ELIMINATED ALL ITS WEAPONS
OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
IRAQ MAINTAINS THE U-S GOVERNMENT WANTS TO MAINTAIN THE SANCTIONS
INDEFINITELY AND CONSEQUENTLY THERE IS NO POINT IN COOPERATING.
/// REST OPT FOR LONG ///
IRAQ'S DECISION CAME AT A MEETING OF THE COUNTRY'S REVOLUTIONARY
COMMAND COUNCIL, HEADED BY PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. IT FOLLOWS
BY ONE-YEAR A SIMILAR STANDOFF THAT LED TO THE THREAT OF AIR
STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ BY THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS.
THAT CONFRONTATION EASED LAST FEBRUARY AFTER U-N SECRETARY
GENERAL KOFI ANNAN REACHED AN AGREEMENT WHEREBY IRAQ ALLOWED THE
RESUMPTION OF INSPECTIONS IN RETURN FOR COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF
THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION PROGRAM.
BUT IRAQ SUSPENDED ALL NEW INSPECTIONS THREE-MONTHS AGO, WHEN
CHIEF U-N INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER REFUSED TO CERTIFY IRAQ WAS IN
COMPLIANCE WITH U-N DEMANDS. MR. BUTLER SAID IRAQ WAS CLOSE TO
ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE, BUT GREATER COOPERATION WAS NEEDED IN
CERTAIN AREAS, IN PARTICULAR, ITS BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS
PROGRAMS.
ANALYSTS NOTE IRAQ HAS MOUNTED A DIPLOMATIC CAMPAIGN SAYING
SANCTIONS SHOULD BE ENDED ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS, IN ORDER TO
ELIMINATE THE SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE. THEY SAY THE IRAQI
GOVERNMENT MAY FEEL THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS TOO
PREOCCUPIED WITH OTHER CRISES IN THE REGION TO RIGOROUSLY ENFORCE
THE SANCTIONS.
IRAQ'S DECISION HAS BEEN CRITICIZED BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL
AND BY SEVERAL OF ITS MEMBERS, INCLUDING FRANCE AND THE UNITED
STATES. THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY CANCELLED A TRIP TO ASIA IN
ORDER TO RETURN TO WASHINGTON TO MONITOR THE SITUATION.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SB/DW/RAE
01-Nov-98 8:05 AM EST (1305 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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