DATE=11/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242007
TITLE=IRAQ / AZIZ (S)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF IRAQ -- TARIQ AZIZ --
DESCRIBES AS PROVOCATIVE A REQUEST BY UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS
INSPECTORS TO EXAMINE DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE IRAQI ARMS
PROGRAM . RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN
CAIRO ON MR. AZIZ'S FIRST PUBLIC REACTION TO HIS COUNTRY'S LATEST
CONFLICT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: MR. AZIZ TOLD REPORTERS U-N CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR
RICHARD BUTLER IS SEEKING TO REVIVE OLD PROBLEMS BY REQUESTING
ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS ABOUT IRAQI WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT.
MR. AZIZ SAYS SOME OF THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS DO NOT EVEN EXIST.
THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SAYS MR. BUTLER'S REQUEST IS EITHER A
SUPERFICIAL PRETEXT TO JUSTIFY AMERICAN AGGRESSION OR AN ATTEMPT
TO CONFUSE AND UNDERMINE THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW. STILL, U-N
INSPECTORS ARE CARRYING OUT THEIR PROGRAM OF CHECKING WEAPON
SITES, INCLUDING AN UNANNOUNCED VISIT TO ONE SITE.
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS MUST CERTIFY IRAQ IS FREE OF WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION BEFORE SANCTIONS IMPOSED SINCE THE GULF WAR ARE
LIFTED. (SIGNED)
NEB / WD / WD
NEB/RHE/DW
22-Nov-98 6:08 AM EST (1108 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
