DATE=11/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241329
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / NEXT STEP (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE
WHAT TO DO NEXT ABOUT IRAQ. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY
APPROVED A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING IRAQ'S HALTING OF COOPERATION
WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION. BUT IRAQ HAS ALREADY
REJECTED THAT RESOLUTION. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT
MAX RUSTON HAS A REPORT.
TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS MADE ITS POSITION CLEAR ON AT
LEAST ONE ISSUE ... IN DEMANDING THAT IRAQ IMMEDIATELY RESUME
COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION.
THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN LESS CLEAR ON THE POSSIBLE USE OF FORCE TO
DEAL WITH IRAQ IF THAT DEMAND IS NOT MET. WHILE MOST COUNCIL
MEMBERS AGREE THE LATEST RESOLUTION IS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE
USE OF FORCE, THE RESOLUTION ITSELF DOES NOT EXPLICITLY MENTION
IT. IN FACT RUSSIA HAS SAID CLEARLY IT VIEWS MILITARY ACTION AT
THIS STAGE AS POINTLESS IN RESOLVING THE CRISIS.
DIPLOMATS SAY THAT MAY BE THE LIMIT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S
ACTION ON THE ISSUE, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING. THEY SAY IT IS
NOW UP TO INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENTS TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION THEY
FEEL IS APPROPRIATE.
BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE ALREADY BEGUN MEETING WITH THE
LEADERS OF MIDDLE EAST NATIONS IN AN EFFORT TO STEP UP PRESSURE
ON IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN TO COOPERATE WITH THE UNITED
NATIONS. THERE ARE ALSO SIGNS THOSE TWO NATIONS ARE WORKING
CLOSELY WITH FRANCE TO ADOPT A COORDINATED APPROACH TO THE
PROBLEM.
IF THEY FAIL TO MAKE PROGRESS, DIPLOMATS SAY, THE ISSUE MAY THEN
RETURN TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, WHICH COULD APPROVE A STRONGER
RESOLUTION EXPLICITLY MENTIONING THE USE OF FORCE.
ANOTHER OPTION WOULD BE TO ENLIST U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI
ANNAN'S ASSISTANCE, AS WAS DONE IN A SIMILAR CRISIS IN FEBRUARY.
BUT, DIPLOMATS SAY THEY SUSPECT THAT WOULD JUST GIVE IRAQ AN
OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER DELAY THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION PROCESS.
IRAQ HAS ITS OWN PROPOSAL FOR A SOLUTION ... THAT THE U-N
SECURITY COUNCIL END THE INSPECTION PROCESS AND LIFT SANCTIONS
IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR. THE COUNCIL REMAINS UNITED IN ITS
OPPOSITION TO THAT PROPOSAL, AMID FEARS THAT BENEATH ALL THE
POLITICAL BARGAINING, IRAQ MAY STILL BE HIDING THE CAPABILITY TO
DEVELOP OR DEPLOY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
06-Nov-98 5:16 PM EST (2216 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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