DATE=1/11/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244016
TITLE=RUSSIA/IRAQ (S ONLY)
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: RUSSIA IS CALLING ON THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL
TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS THAT U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS IN IRAQ SPIED
FOR THE UNITED STATES. MORE FROM V-O-A MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT
PETER HEINLEIN.
TEXT: A RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS CONFIRMATION OF
THE SPYING REPORTS WOULD DEAL A SERIOUS BLOW TO THE U-N SPECIAL
COMMISSION'S REPUTATION FOR OBJECTIVITY.
SPOKESMAN VLADIMIR RAKHMANIN REPEATED MOSCOW'S DEMAND THAT CHIEF
WEAPONS INSPECTOR, RICHARD BUTLER, BE FORCED TO STEP DOWN.
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV PREVIOUSLY CALLED FOR MR.
BUTLER'S FIRING, SAYING THE U-N OFFICIAL PROVOKED THE RECENT AIR
STRIKES AGAINST IRAQI TARGETS.
LAST WEEK, SEVERAL LEADING NEWSPAPERS CARRIED REPORTS DETAILING A
SURVEILLANCE OPERATION THAT ALLOWED WASHINGTON TO EAVESDROP ON
IRAQ'S MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.
U-N COMMISSION OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEIR PRIMARY ROLE WAS TO
MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH U-N SANCTIONS. BUT ONE OFFICIAL WAS
QUOTED AS SAYING IT WOULD BE NAIVE TO THINK THE WORLD BODY HAD
NOT BEEN USED FOR COVERT ACTIVITIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF/JO
11-Jan-99 10:30 AM EST (1530 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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