DATE=11/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241661
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HELD LENGTHY TALKS WITH U-N
SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN LATE FRIDAY IN AN EFFORT TO FIND A
NON-MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE LATEST CRISIS WITH IRAQ. V-O-A'S
UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY.
TEXT: AFTER FIVE HOURS OF TALKS, A TIRED-LOOKING MR. ANNAN SPOKE
TO THE MEDIA AND REPEATED HIS APPEAL FOR IRAQ TO RESUME
COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.
/// ANNAN ACT ///
IF THEY DID, AS THE COUNCIL HAS ALREADY INDICATED, WE
WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND ONCE
IRAQ HAS RESCINDED [ITS POLICY OF NON-COOPERATION] AND
[THE COUNCIL HAS] DONE THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW,
HOPEFULLY IN A REASONABLE PERIOD, AND THEN THEY [IRAQ]
WILL HAVE TO COOPERATE WITH UNSCOM. ONCE THAT IS DONE,
I TRUST THE COUNCIL WILL BE IN A POSITION TO LIFT THE
SANCTIONS.
/// END ACT ///
MR. ANNAN IS SENDING A LETTER TO THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP OUTLINING
THE APPEAL. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE LETTER DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY
CONCRETE PROMISES CONCERNING SANCTIONS BUT DOES PLEDGE A FULL AND
FAIR REVIEW OF RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS LEFT THE MEETING WITH A PUBLIC STATEMENT OF
SUPPORT FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, AS EXPRESSED BY COUNCIL
PRESIDENT PETER BURLEIGH OF THE UNITED STATES.
/// BURLEIGH ACT ///
WE HAD A LONG DISCUSSION OF THE IRAQ SITUATION WITH THE
SECRETARY-GENERAL. WE REITERATED OUR STRONG SUPPORT AND
ENDORSEMENT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S APPEAL OF
NOVEMBER 11 TO THE IRAQI AUTHORITIES.
/// END ACT ///
THERE WERE SOME SIGNS OF DIVISION AMONG COUNCIL MEMBERS OVER HOW
TO DEAL WITH THE IRAQ SITUATION. RUSSIA TRIED TO CONVINCE OTHER
COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT A MORE ACTIVE MEDIATION ROLE BY THE
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL -- A SUGGESTION THAT DID NOT RECEIVE WIDE
SUPPORT. THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR SAID HIS COUNTRY HAS DETECTED
WHAT HE CALLED A CONSTRUCTIVE SHIFT IN IRAQI POLICIES ... AN
INDICATION IRAQ MAY BE WILLING TO BACK DOWN FROM ITS REFUSAL TO
COOPERATE WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
CHINA'S AMBASSADOR LEFT THE MEETING URGING ALL PARTIES TO SHOW
RESTRAINT. HE SAID CHINA BELIEVES THERE IS STILL AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE CRISIS.
THE MEETING ENDED WITHOUT A COUNCIL REQUEST FOR MR. ANNAN TO
TRAVEL TO BAGHDAD TO MEDIATE IN THE CRISIS AND WITHOUT ANY
SUBSTANTIALLY NEW INITIATIVES. DIPLOMATS SAY IT REMAINS UP TO
IRAQ TO DEFUSE THE CRISIS.
IRAQI AMBASSADOR NIZAR HAMDOON TOLD REPORTERS HIS GOVERNMENT IS
WILLING TO WORK WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL, BUT ONLY IF IT
RECEIVES GUARANTEES THAT A REVIEW OF RESOLUTIONS TAKES PLACE AND
THAT IT IS CARRIED OUT IN A FAIR AND OBJECTIVE MANNER.
THE COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO MEET AGAIN SATURDAY TO CONTINUE
DISCUSSING THE SITUATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/PLM
14-Nov-98 12:01 AM EST (0501 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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