DATE=11/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241968
TITLE=IRAQ / WEAPONS INSPECTIONS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQ IS OBJECTING (FRIDAY) TO UNITED NATIONS REQUESTS FOR
MORE DOCUMENTS CONCERNING ITS WEAPONS PROGRAMS. V-O-A'S MAX
RUSTON HAS THE STORY FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.
TEXT: THE OBJECTION CAME IN A LETTER TO U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION
CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER FROM AN IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL.
THE OFFICIAL, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
TARIQ AZIZ, DESCRIBES MR. BUTLER'S REQUESTS FOR MORE DOCUMENTS AS
PROVOCATIVE AND UNPROFESSIONAL. HE SAYS MR. BUTLER'S REQUESTS
APPEAR TO BE DESIGNED TO UNJUSTIFIABLY PROLONG THE WEAPONS
INSPECTION PROCESS.
MR. BUTLER WAS ASKING PRIMARILY FOR DOCUMENTS SEEN BY HIS
INSPECTORS DURING SEARCHES IN IRAQ. INSPECTORS ARE SEARCHING FOR
ANY INFORMATION INDICATING THAT IRAQ IS MAINTAINING A CAPABILITY
TO PRODUCE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, IN VIOLATION OF SECURITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.
THE PROTEST IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND SINCE IRAQ AGREED LAST
WEEKEND TO COOPERATE UNCONDITIONALLY WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION
COMMISSION, UNSCOM. THE UNITED STATES WAS PREPARED TO LAUNCH A
MILITARY STRIKE IF IRAQ HAD NOT AGREED TO COOPERATE.
U-S AND BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE MAINTAINING THE CAPABILITY
FOR SUCH STRIKES, IN CASE IRAQ FAILS TO KEEP ITS PLEDGE OF
COOPERATION.
DIPLOMATS SAY IRAQ APPEARS TO BE TESTING THE LIMITS OF WHAT THE
UNITED NATIONS WILL TOLERATE IN TERMS OF OBSTRUCTION AND DELAYS
IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS. THEY SAY UNSCOM IS ALSO EXPECTED TO
TEST IRAQ'S LIMITS, BY CARRYING OUT INSPECTIONS THAT ARE MORE
AGGRESSIVE AND INTRUSIVE THAN THOSE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY
BEFORE THE LATEST CRISIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
20-Nov-98 4:35 PM EST (2135 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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