DATE=11/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242136
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION ON IRAQ IS PREPARING TO STEP UP
INSPECTIONS OF SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES, AS PART OF ITS REVIEW OF
IRAQI COMPLIANCE WITH THE DISARMAMENT PROGRAM. V-O-A MIDDLE EAST
CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS THE MOVE FOLLOWS A MEETING OF
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ABOUT THE LATEST DISPUTE BETWEEN U-N
INSPECTORS AND THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.
TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS WEDNESDAY INDICATED THEY INTEND TO FURTHER
TEST THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT'S WILLINGNESS TO COOPERATE, SAYING
ADDITIONAL WEAPONS INSPECTORS ARE DUE IN IRAQ NEXT WEEK TO BEGIN
WHAT THEY CALL INTRUSIVE INSPECTIONS OF POSSIBLE IRAQI WEAPONS
SITES.
SUCH INSPECTIONS WERE SUSPENDED BY IRAQ THREE MONTHS AGO, IN A
CONFRONTATION THAT ALMOST BROUGHT AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ. THE
CRISIS WAS DEFUSED TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT AGREED
TO RESUME FULL COOPERATION WITH THE U-N INSPECTORS.
ANOTHER DISPUTE QUICKLY EMERGED, HOWEVER, OVER A REQUEST BY U-N
INSPECTORS FOR DOCUMENTS WHICH THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT SAYS WERE
IRRELEVANT OR NON-EXISTENT.
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TUESDAY DECLINED TO PRESS THE ISSUE OF
THE DOCUMENTS BUT EXPRESSED FULL SUPPORT FOR THE U-N INSPECTORS.
BECAUSE OF THE DOCUMENTS ISSUE, TWO MEMBERS, BRITAIN AND THE
UNITED STATES, REPORTEDLY WANTED THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO DECLARE
THAT IRAQ WAS NOT COOPERATING WITH THE INSPECTORS. HOWEVER,
OTHER MEMBERS REPORTEDLY BLOCKED THE RESOLUTION.
IRAQI OFFICIALS WEDNESDAY CALLED THE DEVELOPMENT A POSITIVE STEP
AND SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT WHAT THEY CALLED THE RADICAL
POSITION OF THE BRITISH AND U-S GOVERNMENTS WAS NOT HEEDED.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH
25-Nov-98 8:53 AM EST (1353 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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