DATE=12/10/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242768
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW, OFFICIALS IN IRAQ ARE SAYING
THAT U-N INSPECTORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER A BUILDING
HOUSING OFFICES OF THE RULING BAATH PARTY. NEVERTHELESS, AS
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST
BUREAU, THE FULL CONTINGENT OF U-N INSPECTORS CONTINUED THEIR
WORK THURSDAY.
TEXT: THE HEAD OF THE RULING BAATH PARTY IN BAGHDAD, LATIF
NSAYYIF JASSIM, SAYS U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WILL BE TURNED BACK
AGAIN IF THEY TRY TO ENTER THE PARTY HEADQUARTERS.
MR. JASSIM TOLD REPORTERS IN BAGHDAD THERE IS NOTHING INSIDE THE
PARTY HEADQUARTERS THAT IS BANNED OR PROHIBITED AND, IN HIS
WORDS, THEY WILL NOT FIND ANYTHING RELATED TO WHAT THEY ARE
LOOKING FOR. THE PARTY OFFICIAL SAID POLITICAL PARTIES ARE NOT
INCLUDED IN THE INSPECTIONS SITES.
A TEAM OF 12 INSPECTORS TRIED TO ENTER THE PARTY OFFICES
WEDNESDAY BUT THEY WERE TURNED BACK BY IRAQI OFFICIALS WHO ASKED
FOR A LIST OF THE MATERIAL THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.
CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER CRITICIZED THE ACT,
SAYING HIS STAFF WAS BLOCKED FROM CARRYING OUT WHAT HE CALLED A
LEGAL, SUPRISE INSPECTION.
THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT AGREED TO ALLOW THE INSPECTIONS TO RESUME
LAST MONTH, BARELY AVERTING U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES.
/// OPT /// BRITISH OFFICIALS WEDNESDAY COMMENTED ON THE
LATEST CONFRONTATION, SAYING IRAQ'S ACTIONS SO FAR ARE NOT
CONSISTENT WITH THE FULL COOPERATION IT PLEDGED LAST MONTH.
/// OPT /// U-S OFFICIALS REAFFIRMED THAT THE U-S GOVERNMENT
IS POISED TO LAUNCH MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ IF U-N
INSPECTORS ARE PREVENTED FROM DOING THEIR JOB. HOWEVER, THEY
DECLINED TO SPECIFY WHAT MIGHT TRIGGER THE RESPONSE. /// END
OPT ///
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INSPECTORS IN BAGHDAD, CAROLINE CROSS,
THURSDAY REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE INCIDENT OF THE DAY BEFORE OR
SAY WHETHER THE INSPECTORS WOULD TRY AGAIN TO INSPECT IRAQI PARTY
OFFICES. SHE SAID THE INSPECTORS CONTINUED THEIR DUTIES THURSDAY
WITH NO CHANGE TO THEIR ROUTINES.
THE TEAMS ARE DUE TO COMPLETE THE LATEST ROUND OF INSPECTIONS
MONDAY, AFTER WHICH MR. BUTLER IS TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON WHETHER
IRAQ IS FULLY COMPLYING WITH THE INSPECTIONS.
IF THE REPORT FINDS IRAQ IS COOPERATING FULLY, THE U-N SECURITY
COUNCIL HAS PROMISED TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE
IRAQI DISARMAMENT PROGRAM. IRAQ HOPES THE REVIEW WILL LEAD TO
THE END OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS WHICH HAVE DEVASTATED ITS ECONOMY.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/KL
10-Dec-98 8:39 AM EST (1339 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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