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DATE=1/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225179
TITLE=COHEN / IRAQ INSPECTORS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE TOP U-S DEFENSE OFFICIAL HAS CONDEMNED IRAQ'S 
DECISION TO BLOCK WEAPONS INSPECTIONS BY A U-N TEAM.  DEFENSE 
SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS SEEKING STRONG 
MEASURES FROM THE UNITED NATIONS TO FORCE IRAQ TO FULLY OPEN ITS 
FACILITIES TO OUTSIDE EXPERTS.  CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE IS 
TRAVELING WITH MR. COHEN IN ASIA.
TEXT:  BAGHDAD IS BLOCKING EFFORTS BY ONE TEAM OF U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS IN IRAQ, COMPLAINING THERE ARE TOO MANY AMERICAN 
EXPERTS IN THE GROUP.  BAGHDAD ALSO ACCUSES ONE TEAM MEMBER OF 
BEING A SPY.  
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE MAN IN QUESTION, SCOTT 
RITTER, IS A WEAPONS EXPERT, NOT A SPY.  IN AN INTERVIEW AT THE 
U-S EMBASSY IN KUALA LUMPUR, MR. COHEN SAID IT WOULD BE ABSURD TO
ALLOW IRAQ TO DICTATE WHO COULD BE ON THE TEAM OF WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS.
                     /// COHEN ACTUALITY ///
         WE CANNOT HAVE THE PAROLEE DICTATING WHO THE PAROLE 
         OFFICER 'S GOING TO BE.  IN THIS  PARTICULAR CASE WE 
         HAVE U-N INSPECTORS.  THEY WERE NOT PICKED BY VIRTUE OF 
         THEIR OWN COUNTRIES, BUT BY VIRTUE OF THEIR EXPERTISE 
         AND EXPERIENCE, AND IT IS REALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR SADDAM
         HUSSEIN TO DECLARE WHO IS ACCEPTABLE AND WHO IS NOT.  
         AND SO WE HOPE TO PROCEED WITH THIS, WITH THE UNITED 
         NATIONS.
                      /// END ACTUALITY ///
THERE ARE NEARLY 30-THOUSAND U-N MILITARY PERSONNEL IN OR NEAR 
THE PERSIAN GULF, ALONG WITH DOZENS OF SHIPS AND HUNDREDS OF 
COMBAT AIRCRAFT.  
A DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS IRAQ MUST COMPLY WITH U-N 
RESOLUTIONS BANNING NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL, AND GERM WEAPONS.  HE SAID
THE UNITED STATES WILL HELP THE UNITED NATIONS WIN COMPLIANCE 
WITH THOSE RESOLUTIONS.
MR. COHEN SAYS THE U-S FORCES IN THE REGION ARE SUFFICIENT TO 
ENFORCE THE U-N MANDATES.
BAGHDAD AGREED TO THE RESOLUTIONS AFTER LOSING THE GULF WAR.  THE
MANDATE REQUIRES IRAQ TO ALLOW TEAMS OF EXPERTS TO SEARCH 
ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  
INSPECTORS AND OTHER FOREIGN EXPERTS SAY THEY THINK IRAQ IS STILL
HIDING EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND TECHNOLOGY ENABLING IT TO 
PRODUCE SUCH WEAPONS. 
MR. COHEN SPOKE IN KUALA LUMPUR, HE IS IN INDONESIA AS PART OF A 
SEVEN-NATION TOUR DESIGNED TO DISCUSS SECURITY AND ECONOMIC 
CONCERNS IN ASIA.   (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
13-Jan-98 7:36 AM EST (1236 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.