DATE=11/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241041
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N MONDAY (S&L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: POSITIONS CONTINUE TO HARDEN IN THE STANDOFF BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ AND THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL. IRAQ SUSPENDED
COOPERATION WITH U-N MONITORS ON SATURDAY, FOLLOWING A U-N
DECISION TO MAINTAINED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT
BOBB REPORTS IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST
BUREAU.
TEXT: THE IRAQI PARLIAMENT MONDAY UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED
SATURDAY'S DECISION BY THE RULING REVOLUTIONARY COMMAND COUNCIL
TO FURTHER REDUCE COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
A PARLIAMENTARY STATEMENT CONDEMNED THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION
THAT IS OVERSEEING THE IRAQI DISARMAMENT PROGRAM AND URGED AN END
TO ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.
U-N OFFICIALS SAID MOST INSPECTIONS WERE SUSPENDED FOR A SECOND
DAY IN IRAQ. THEY SAID A TECHNICAL TEAM WENT OUT TO MAINTAIN
EQUIPMENT USED TO MONITOR SEVERAL HUNDRED SUSPECTED WEAPONS
SITES. A TEAM FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
CONDUCTED A SECOND DAY OF MONITORING. OTHERWISE, THEY SAID, THE
U-N TEAMS WERE IDLE.
///OPT. FOR SHORT CR///
IRAQ HAS FORBIDDEN U-N INSPECTORS FROM VISITING NEW SITES SINCE
LAST AUGUST, WHEN THE U-N COMMISSION REFUSED TO CERTIFY IRAQ HAD
SATISFIED U-N DEMANDS THAT IT END DEVELOPMENT OF ALL WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION. HOWEVER, ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF EXISTING SITES
HAD CONTINUED -- UNTIL SATURDAY.
IRAQ'S VICE-PRESIDENT TAHA YASSIN RAMADAN SUNDAY REAFFIRMED IRAQ
WILL NOT RENEW COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS BEFORE
IRAQ'S DEMANDS ARE MET -- EVEN, HE SAID, IF MILITARY REPRISALS
ARE THREATENED. OTHER IRAQI OFFICIALS CALLED FOR RESTRUCTURING
THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION TO REMOVE MEMBERS IT ACCUSES OF BEING
AGENTS OF ISRAELI AND U-S INTELLIGENCE SERVICES.
IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IS
SERVING THE POLICY OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS INDEFINITELY. AS A RESULT, THEY SAY THERE IS NO POINT
IN COOPERATING WITH THE INSPECTORS.
///REST OPT.///
THE HARDENING OF POSITIONS IS BEGINNING TO RESEMBLE THE STANDOFF
OF ONE YEAR AGO, WHICH LED TO A BUILD-UP OF U-S AND BRITISH
FORCES IN THE REGION AND A THREAT OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.
THAT CONFRONTATION EASED WHEN U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN
BROKERED AN AGREEMENT, WHEREBY IRAQ RESUMED COOPERATION WITH U-N
INSPECTORS IN RETURN FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE
INSPECTIONS PROGRAM.
IN SUBSEQUENT MONTHS, NEW CONTRACTS WERE APPROVED ALLOWING IRAQ
TO TRADE GREATER AMOUNTS OF OIL FOR FOOD, MEDICINE, AND OIL
INDUSTRY EQUIPMENT. HOWEVER, THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT MAINTAINED THE
SANCTIONS WERE CAUSING INHUMAN SUFFERING AND DEMANDED DEMANDED
THEY BE LIFTED COMPLETELY. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/PCF
02-Nov-98 10:39 AM EST (1539 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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