DATE=1/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225384
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N (L)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS ROBERTS
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// RE-ISSUING TO CORRECT CR NUMBER ///
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS WITHDREW AN AMERICAN-LED TEAM OF
WEAPONS INSPECTORS FROM IRAQ FRIDAY AMID A CONTINUING STAND-OFF
OVER THE U-N'S EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE ELIMINATION OF IRAQ'S
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS
ROBERTS HAS DETAILS.
TEXT: THE U-N TEAM OF ARMS INSPECTORS HEADED BY AMERICAN
CITIZEN SCOTT RITTER LEFT IRAQ ONE DAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. BUT
MR. RITTER TOLD REPORTERS IN BAGHDAD THE DEPARTURE DID NOT
SIGNAL A CHANGE IN THE U-N'S DETERMINATION TO CARRY OUT THE
INSPECTIONS.
MR. RITTER'S GROUP FLEW INTO THE IRAQI CAPITAL LAST SUNDAY. ITS
MISSION, ACCORDING TO U-N OFFICIALS, WAS TO CHECK ON REPORTS THE
IRAQI GOVERNMENT HAD CONDUCTED TESTS OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS ON
HUMAN SUBJECTS.
IRAQI OFFICIALS VEHEMENTLY DENY THE CHARGES. BUT TWO DAYS AFTER
MR. RITTER'S ARRIVAL, BAGHDAD BANNED HIS TEAM FROM ANY FURTHER
INSPECTIONS IN THE COUNTRY.
IRAQI OFFICIALS COMPLAINED THAT MR. RITTER'S GROUP INCLUDES TOO
MANY U-S AND BRITISH CITIZENS. IRAQ MAINTAINS THAT WASHINGTON
AND LONDON ARE MANIPULATING THE INSPECTION PROCESS FOR ESPIONAGE
PURPOSES AND TO PROLONG THE U-N ECONOMIC EMBARGO IMPOSED ON IRAQ
AFTER ITS 1990 INVASION OF KUWAIT.
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS STIPULATE THE SANCTIONS CAN ONLY BE
LIFTED ONCE THE U-N HAS VERIFIED THE ELIMINATION OF IRAQ'S
NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS THE
DESTRUCTION OF ITS LONG-RANGE MISSILES.
THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT ALLOWED OTHER U-N TEAMS TO CONTINUE THEIR
INSPECTIONS, BUT BAGHDAD INSISTED ON CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION
OF MR. RITTER'S GROUP BEFORE IT CAN BE ALLOWED TO RESUME
OPERATIONS.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL DEPLORED THE IRAQI MOVE, CALLING IT A
VIOLATION OF BAGHDAD'S OBLIGATIONS TO THE U-N.
THE HEAD OF THE WEAPONS COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN DIPLOMAT RICHARD
BUTLER, IS DUE IN BAGHDAD ON MONDAY FOR TWO DAYS OF TALKS WITH
IRAQI OFFICIALS. THE BAN ON MR. RITTER'S TEAM WILL NOT BE THE
ONLY ITEM ON THE AGENDA OF THOSE TALKS. THE VISIT BY THE
COMMISSION CHAIRMAN WAS PLANNED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO TO DISCUSS
IRAQ'S CONTINUING REFUSAL TO ALLOW INSPECTIONS OF SO-CALLED
SENSITIVE SITES, INCLUDING DOZENS OF COMPOUNDS BELONGING TO
PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/PCF
16-Jan-98 10:28 AM EST (1528 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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