DATE=1/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225147
TITLE=ANNAN/IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL IS URGING IRAQ TO TAKE NO
ACTION AGAINST WEAPONS INSPECTORS BEFORE CHIEF INSPECTOR RICHARD
BUTLER ARRIVES NEXT WEEK IN BAGHDAD. CORRESPONDENT ELAINE
JOHANSON REPORTS IRAQ CONDEMNED A U-S LED TEAM (MONDAY) AND
CHARGED ITS AMERICAN LEADER WITH BEING A SPY FOR WASHINGTON.
TEXT: IRAQ HAS NOT ACTUALLY THREATENED THE INSPECTORS. BUT THE
NEWEST TENSIONS ARE REMINISCENT OF A CRISIS LATE LAST YEAR WHEN
BAGHDAD TEMPORARILY EXPELLED AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE U-N TEAMS.
RICHARD BUTLER -- WHO HEADS THE SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH
RIDDING IRAQ OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- IS DUE NEXT MONDAY
IN BAGHDAD. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN HAS ADVISED IRAQ AGAINST
TAKING HASTY ACTION BEFORE MR. BUTLER'S ARRIVAL AND SAYS THE
INSPECTIONS -- IN THE MEANTIME -- WILL CONTINUE AS PLANNED:
//ANNAN ACT//
I HOPE THE IRAQI AUTHORITIES WILL NOT DO ANYTHING
PRECIPITOUS AND WILL WAIT FOR MR. BUTLER TO GET THERE TO
RAISE WHATEVER ISSUES THEY HAVE WITH HIM. WE HAVE NOT
DECIDED TO HALT ANY INSPECTIONS. THE TEAMS ARE ON THE
GROUND AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR WORK
WITH COOPERATION OF THE IRAQIS SINCE NOVEMBER. THIS IS
THE FIRST HIC-COUGH WE HAVE CONFRONTED SINCE THEN.
//END ACT//
IRAQ ACCUSES THE UNITED STATES -- AND TO A LESSER EXTENT BRITAIN
-- OF DOMINATING THE WEAPONS MISSIONS. IT BELIEVES WASHINGTON IS
TRYING TO DELAY THE LIFTING OF AN ECONOMIC EMBARGO IMPOSED AFTER
IRAQ'S 1990 INVASION OF KUWAIT. THE SANCTIONS CANNOT BE LIFTED
UNTIL THE INSPECTORS CERTIFY IRAQ IS FREE OF THE BANNED WEAPONS.
MR. BUTLER'S TRIP WAS SCHEDULED BEFORE THE NEW TENSIONS. HE
HOPES TO PERSUADE IRAQ TO OPEN SENSITIVE SITES IT HAS DECLARED
OFF-LIMITS TO THE INSPECTORS. HIS VISIT IS EXPECTED TO BE BRIEF
-- ABOUT TWO DAYS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
12-Jan-98 1:24 PM EST (1824 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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