DATE=11/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241675
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ CRISIS ( L & S)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
*INTRO: U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS IRAQ APPEARS TO BE
TAKING A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS EASING THE LATEST CRISIS INVOLVING
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS IN THAT COUNTRY. BUT IT REMAINS UNCLEAR
IF IRAQ'S LATEST MOVE IS ENOUGH TO AVOID A MILITARY CONFRONTATION
OVER THE ISSUE. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR DELIVERED A LETTER FROM THE IRAQI
LEADERSHIP TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL EARLY SATURDAY OUTLINING
BAGHDAD'S APPARENT CHANGE OF POLICY ON THE WEAPONS INSPECTION
ISSUE. AFTER THE MEETING, MR. ANNAN DESCRIBED THE DEVELOPMENT AS
A POSITIVE ONE BUT DID NOT PROVIDE DETAILS. HE SAID IT IS A
MATTER FOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS WHEN IT MEETS
LATER SATURDAY (EDS: MEETING SCHEDULED FOR 3:30 PM EST). HE SAID
THE COUNCIL WILL DECIDE WHAT TO DO NEXT.
U-N OFFICIALS IN BAGHDAD SAY IRAQ HAS AGREED, WITHOUT CONDITION,
TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
MR. ANNAN APPEALED TO IRAQ TO MAKE SUCH A MOVE LATE FRIDAY, AFTER
A FIVE-HOUR MEETING OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, DESCRIBED AS A LAST
EFFORT TO AVOID A MILITARY CONFRONTATION.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS PROMISED TO CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW OF SANCTIONS-RELATED RESOLUTIONS IF IRAQ AGREES TO RESUME
COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.
IRAQ HALTED ALL COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM ON OCTOBER 31ST, SPARKING
THE LATEST CRISIS. COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS AGAINST
IRAQ, IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR, CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL UNSCOM
CERTIFIES THAT IRAQ NO LONGER HAS THE CAPABILITY TO DEVELOP
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
IRAQ EARLIER AGREED TO THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW PROPOSAL IN
PRINCIPLE. IT LATER BACKED AWAY FROM THAT AGREEMENT, ACCUSING
SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE UNITED STATES IN PARTICULAR, OF USING
THE PLAN TO DELAY THE COMPLETION OF THE INSPECTION PROCESS. THE
UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS FIRMLY DENY THAT CHARGE.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/GE
14-Nov-98 12:04 PM EST (1704 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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