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DATE=12/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243074
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N INSPECTORS (L UPDATE)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN HAS MET WITH THE RULING 
REVOLUTIONARY COMMAND COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE SUDDEN DEPARTURE OF 
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS EARLIER IN THE DAY.  V-O-A MIDDLE EAST 
CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS A U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS ALL U-N 
STAFF HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO LEAVE IRAQ FOLLOWING A REPORT BY THE 
CHIEF INSPECTOR THAT IRAQ HAS  NOT  BEEN COOPERATING WITH HIS 
STAFF.
TEXT:  AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT SAID THE IRAQI PRESIDENT DISCUSSED 
MEASURES NEEDED TO CONFRONT WHAT WAS TERMED THE AMERICAN AND 
BRITISH AGGRESSION, WHICH IT SAID HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR A LONG 
TIME.
THE MEETING FOLLOWED THE RAPID DEPARTURE WEDNESDAY OF THE U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS AND REPORTS THAT OTHER U-N STAFF IN IRAQ ALSO 
HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO LEAVE.
THE EVACUATION ORDER CAME A FEW HOURS AFTER CHIEF U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER ISSUED A REPORT SAYING IRAQI OFFICIALS 
HAD ENSURED THAT THE INSPECTORS MADE  NO  PROGRESS IN THE U-N 
PROGRAM TO ELIMINATE IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. 
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL PROMISED IF IRAQ COOPERATED FULLY, IT 
WOULD UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE DISARMAMENT 
PROGRAM.  IRAQ HOPES SUCH A REVIEW WILL LEAD TO AN END TO 
CRIPPLING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.
MR. BUTLER LAST WEEK NOTED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHEN HIS INSPECTORS 
WERE HINDERED IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK, BUT IRAQ HAD ALLOWED 
MOST INSPECTIONS TO GO ON.  AS A RESULT, THE CRITICAL TONE OF THE
REPORT SURPRISED SOME OFFICIALS.
IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ CALLED MR. BUTLER'S REPORT
ILL-INTENTIONED AND AIMED AT JUSTIFYING U-S AND BRITISH MILITARY 
AGGRESSION.
THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS HAVE THREATENED TO LAUNCH AIR 
STRIKES IF IRAQ DOES  NOT  COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE INSPECTIONS.
LAST MONTH, THE U-S GOVERNMENT SAID IT RESERVED THE RIGHT TO 
STRIKE IRAQ WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE.  THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWED A 
THREE-MONTH STANDOFF OVER THE INSPECTIONS THAT ENDED ONLY WHEN 
IRAQ AGREED TO RESUME COOPERATION UNDER THE THREAT OF MILITARY 
STRIKES.  (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH
16-Dec-98 11:45 AM EST (1645 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.