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DATE=1/13/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244152
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ SANCTIONS (S & L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  FRANCE FORMALLY PROPOSED A PLAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS 
SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT COULD LEAD TO THE GRADUAL
LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT:  IN A DOCUMENT PRESENTED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, FRANCE 
PROPOSES A COMPLETE RESTRUCTURING OF THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  IT CALLS FOR THE COMMISSION TO FOCUS ON 
PREVENTATIVE RATHER THAN RETROSPECTIVE CONTROL OVER IRAQ'S 
WEAPONS PROGRAMS, AND FOR MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMISSION'S
PROFESSIONALISM.
THE PROPOSAL SAYS THERE IS  NO  MORE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE 
SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER THE GULF WAR.  THE FRENCH 
DOCUMENT SAYS THE SANCTIONS ONLY HURT THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ, AND 
KEEP THEM AS HOSTAGES OF THEIR AUTHORITIES.
THE UNITED STATES HAS REJECTED PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO ALTER 
SANCTIONS ON IRAQ AND THE SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THAT COUNTRY'S 
WEAPONS PROGRAMS.
                    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///
THE FRENCH PROPOSAL DOES  NOT  SUGGEST THE IMMEDIATE OR FULL 
LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.  IT SAYS IF BAGHDAD FULFILLS 
ITS OTHER INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS -- IN PARTICULAR, REGARDING 
THE KUWAITIS WHO HAVE BEEN MISSING SINCE THE GULF WAR -- 
REMAINING SANCTIONS SHOULD BE PROGRESSIVELY LIFTED.  IT SAYS IF 
IRAQ FAILS TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, THE 
COUNCIL COULD ADOPT NEW SANCTIONS AT ANY MOMENT.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN WELCOMED THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW
IDEAS INTO THE DISCUSSION ON IRAQ, BUT DID  NOT  COMMENT 
SPECIFICALLY ON THE FRENCH PROPOSAL.
THE PROPOSAL IS AIMED AT BREAKING THE CURRENT DEADLOCK WITH IRAQ,
SPARKED BY BAGHDAD'S REFUSAL TO COOPERATE WITH THE U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTION COMMISSION.  THE COMMISSION HAS FACED MOUNTING 
CRITICISM IN RECENT WEEKS, AMID CHARGES THAT IT HELPED THE UNITED
STATES SPY ON IRAQ -- A CHARGE THE COMMISSION DENIES.
RUSSIA, FRANCE AND CHINA HAVE BEEN LEADING CALLS IN THE SECURITY 
COUNCIL FOR CHANGES IN THE MONITORING AND SANCTIONS SYSTEMS.  
BRITAIN HAS INDICATED IT MAY BE WILLING TO DISCUSS SOME CHANGES 
IN THOSE SYSTEMS.  THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT REMAINS A STRONG 
SUPPORTER OF UNSCOM, AND DOES  NOT  WANT SANCTIONS LIFTED UNTIL 
IRAQ MEETS ALL ITS OBLIGATIONS.  (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
13-Jan-99 5:20 PM EST (2220 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.