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DATE=11/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242117
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ ARMS (S & L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HELD TALKS TODAY 
(TUESDAY) ON IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO HAND OVER DOCUMENTS REQUESTED BY 
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS, BUT APPARENTLY FAILED TO REACH A 
CONSENSUS ON HOW TO RESPOND TO BAGHDAD.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON HAS 
THE STORY FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.
TEXT:  THE COUNCIL MET FOR CLOSE TO FOUR HOURS BUT DID NOT REACH 
ANY CONCLUSIONS ON THE ISSUE OF IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO HAND OVER 
REQUESTED DOCUMENTS.  COUNCIL PRESIDENT PETER BURLEIGH OF THE 
UNITED STATES SAYS THE COUNCIL RECEIVED A BRIEFING FROM 
INSPECTION CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER.  HE SAYS ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS 
EXPRESSED THEIR CONTINUED, FULL SUPPORT FOR THE WEAPONS 
INSPECTION TEAM.
BRITISH AMBASSADOR JEREMY GREENSTOCK SAYS THE COUNCIL WILL 
CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS AT A LATER TIME.  HE SAYS COUNCIL MEMBERS 
ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH IRAQ'S POSITION.  HE SAYS THAT IT DOES NOT 
ESTABLISH THE NEEDED BASIS FOR THE COUNCIL TO CARRY OUT IRAQ'S 
REQUESTED COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS RELATED TO 
SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR.
                 /// REST OPTIONAL FOR LONG ///
COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE CAREFUL NOT TO DESCRIBE THE SITUATION AS THE
START OF A NEW CRISIS.  SOME DIPLOMATS SAY THEY BELIEVE IRAQ 
WANTS TO CREATE THE APPEARANCE OF A CRISIS, AS A MEANS FOR 
MANIPULATING THE COUNCIL.
THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THEY WILL CARRY 
OUT MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ IF BAGHDAD CLEARLY OBSTRUCTS 
THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS, IN VIOLATION OF COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.  
CHINA, RUSSIA AND FRANCE HAVE REPEATEDLY STRESSED THEIR 
RELUCTANCE TO SUPPORT MILITARY ACTION.
THE WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION HAS REQUESTED ABOUT ONE DOZEN 
SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS FROM IRAQI AUTHORITIES OVER THE LAST WEEK.  
IRAQ HAS PROVIDED DETAILED REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING THE 
DOCUMENTS, SAYING SOME WERE DESTROYED, SOME WERE ALREADY GIVEN TO
THE COMMISSION AND OTHERS NEVER EXISTED.  U-S AND BRITISH 
OFFICIALS SAY THOSE EXPLANATIONS ARE NOT SATISFACTORY.
IRAQ HAD HOPED THE COUNCIL WOULD CARRY OUT ITS REVIEW OF 
SANCTIONS-RELATED RESOLUTIONS WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.  BUT 
DIPLOMATS SAY UNTIL THE ISSUE OF THE LATEST REQUESTED DOCUMENTS 
IS CLEARED UP, IT IS UNLIKELY ANY REVIEW WILL TAKE PLACE.  
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/PT
24-Nov-98 8:30 PM EST (0130 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.