DATE=1/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225210
TITLE=IRAQ INSPECTIONS/REACT (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS PLANNING TO ADOPT A FORMAL
STATEMENT IN THE NEXT DAY OR SO REMINDING IRAQ THAT IT CANNOT
DICTATE THE TERMS OF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. NEW TENSIONS
ERUPTED BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ WHEN BAGHDAD BARRED A
U-S LED TEAM FROM DOING ITS WORK. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE
JOHANSON REPORTS.
TEXT: AMERICAN SCOTT RITTER IS AT THE CENTER OF THE LATEST
CONTROVERSY. BAGHDAD CHARGES HE IS A SPY FOR WASHINGTON AND
COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE INSPECTIONS.
RICHARD BUTLER -- WHO HEADS THE SPECIAL COMMISSION TRYING TO
ELIMINATE BANNED WEAPONS IN IRAQ -- SAYS THAT SIMPLY IS NOT TRUE:
//BUTLER ACT//
SCOTT RITTER IS A PROFESSIONAL ARMS CONTROL INSPECTOR.
HE'S A MAN OF GREAT ABILITY AND DEDICATION. HE IS NOT A
SPY. HE'S A U-N OFFICIAL. IRAQ HAS ALWAYS GOT IT WRONG
-- WHETHER BY INTENTION OR NOT -- WHAT HIS PAST RANK
WAS, WHO HE WORKED FOR...IT'S AN UNRESPECTABLE CAMPAIGN
AGAINST A PERFECTLY COMPETENT, LOYAL AND TRUTHFUL
INDIVIDUAL.
//END ACT//
IRAQ COMPLAINED ABOUT A LACK OF COUNTRY BALANCE ON THE INSPECTION
TEAMS WHEN IT TEMPORARILY EXPELLED AMERICAN MEMBERS LAST
NOVEMBER. IRAQ STILL INSISTS THE AMERICANS AND THE BRITISH
DOMINATE THE TEAMS. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CONCEDES THE
SENSITIVITY OF THE ISSUE BUT SAYS IRAQ CANNOT DICTATE THE
COMPOSITION OF THE INSPECTION TEAMS.
//ANNAN ACT//
YES, THE COMMISSION AT ITS LAST MEETING SUGGESTED THERE
SHOULD BE A BALANCE IN THE COMPOSITION AND MADE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL, WHICH WERE ENDORSED.
BUT THE FACT STILL REMAINS IT IS THE U-N AND UNSCOM (U-N
SPECIAL COMMISSION) THAT DECIDES WHO PARTICIPATES AND
WHO DOES NOT AND HOW THE TEAMS ARE PUT TOGETHER.
//END ACT//
THE SPECIAL COMMISSION MAINTAINS THE COMPOSITION IS DETERMINED BY
THE NATURE OF THE SITE TO BE INSPECTED. THE TEAMS ALSO TEND TO
HAVE MORE ENGLISH-SPEAKING EXPERTS, SINCE ENGLISH IS THE OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE OF THE U-N'S DISARMAMENT PROGRAM.
IN ANY CASE, MR. BUTLER WILL LIKELY HAVE WITH HIM WHEN HE
RETURNS TO BAGHDAD MONDAY A STRONG ENDORSEMENT FROM THE SECURITY
COUNCIL. U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON SAYS HE EXPECTS THE
COUNCIL TO SEND IRAQ A CLEAR SIGNAL:
//RICHARDSON ACT//
THAT MEANS ACCESS TO ALL SITES. THAT MEANS NO BLOCKAGES
IN TERMS OF NATIONALITIES, NO POLITICAL GAMES. THAT
MEANS NO HIDING POTENTIAL WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
//END ACT//
AMERICAN AND BRITISH DIPLOMATS TALK ABOUT CONSEQUENCES FOR IRAQ
IF IT CONTINUES TO BEHAVE CONTRARY TO SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS. WASHINGTON HAS NOT RULED OUT THE MILITARY OPTION,
BUT SAYS IT FAVORS A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION.
//OPT// BUT WHAT THIS LATEST STAND-OFF DOES MEAN FOR IRAQ,
ACCORDING TO BRITISH AMBASSADOR JOHN WESTON, IS THE ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER BAGHDAD INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990 WILL
REMAIN IN PLACE THAT MUCH LONGER.
//WESTON ACT//
IT LOOKS AS IF WE ARE SEEING ONCE AGAIN A PATTERN OF
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH IRAQ. IF THAT IS THE CASE, IT WILL
CERTAINLY HAVE CONSEQUENCES AND THOSE CONSEQUENCES WILL
NOT BE THE EARLY LIFTING OF THE SANCTIONS THAT IRAQ IS
SUBJECT TO.
//END ACT// (END OPT)
U-N OFFICIALS REFER TO THE NEW TENSIONS AS A MINI-CRISIS THAT
THEY HOPE CAN BE RESOLVED ONCE MR. BUTLER GETS TO BAGHDAD. IRAQ,
THIS TIME AT LEAST, HAS NOT THREATENED TO EXPEL THE AMERICANS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/RRM
13-Jan-98 2:49 PM EST (1949 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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