DATE=11/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241719
TITLE=U-N - IRAQ / SUNDAY UPDATE (S & L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS CLOSE TO AN
AGREEMENT ON SENDING U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS BACK TO IRAQ,
FOLLOWING IRAQ'S PLEDGE TO UNCONDITIONALLY RESUME COOPERATION
WITH THE INSPECTORS. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX
RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: BRITAIN'S U-N AMBASSADOR SAYS THE COUNCIL IS QUITE CLOSE
TO A CONSENSUS ON SENDING THE INSPECTORS BACK TO IRAQ. A RUSSIAN
DIPLOMAT SAYS HE BELIEVES THERE IS A GLIMPSE OF HOPE THAT THE
CRISIS WITH IRAQ IS ABOUT TO END. SLOVENIA'S AMBASSADOR SAYS THE
SITUATION APPEARS TO BE ENTERING A NEW STAGE, IN WHICH IRAQ MUST
MAKE CLEAR IT WILL CARRY THROUGH WITH ITS PROMISES TO COOPERATE
WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
THE APPARENT CONSENSUS AMONG SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOLLOWS
DIFFICULT TALKS, IN WHICH CHINA, FRANCE AND RUSSIA DISAGREED WITH
THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN OVER WHETHER TO TRUST IRAQ'S
PROMISE OF COOPERATION.
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER SAYS HE HAS STARTED
THE LOGISTICAL PROCESS OF SENDING INSPECTORS BACK TO IRAQ AND
WILL HAVE THEM THERE WITHIN 24 HOURS, IF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
ASKS HIM TO DO SO.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
/// BUTLER ACT ///
AS FAR AS MY WORK IS CONCERNED, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS
SUPERBLY DEFINED WHAT FULL COOPERATION SHOULD MEAN AND I
HONESTLY HOPE IRAQ SAYS THAT IS FINE BY US. AND WHEN
THIS IS ALL WRAPPED UP TODAY, I WILL SEND OUR PEOPLE
BACK. I HAVE ALREADY STARTED THE LOGISTICAL PROCESS TO
GET THAT DONE, YOU KNOW, WE NEED A PLANE AND OUR
AIRCRAFT AND WE NEED TO PLAN IT ALL.
/// END ACT ///
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN AT THE CENTER OF THE LATEST
CRISIS WITH IRAQ. IRAQ HALTED COOPERATION WITH THE INSPECTORS ON
OCTOBER 31ST, ACCUSING THE THEM OF REFUSING TO RECOGNIZE IRAQI
PROGRESS ON DISARMAMENT ISSUES. UNSCOM DENIES THAT CHARGE.
THE INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE SHOWING THAT IRAQ
HAS THE CAPABILITY TO DEVELOP WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER
THE GULF WAR CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL UNSCOM CERTIFIES BAGHDAD NO
LONGER HAS THAT CAPABILITY.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS REPEATEDLY TOLD IRAQ IT WILL CARRY OUT A
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF SANCTIONS-RELATED RESOLUTIONS, IF BAGHDAD
RESUMES COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS. THE REVIEW
WOULD BE DESIGNED TO REMOVE ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS OVER UNSCOM'S
WORK AND THE REQUIREMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MET BEFORE SANCTIONS
CAN BE LIFTED. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WFR
15-Nov-98 5:21 PM EST (2221 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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