DATE=1/15/99
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
NUMBER=5-42376
TITLE=ANALYSIS OF U-N - IRAQ DEADLOCK
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: DISAGREEMENTS OVER HOW TO DEAL WITH IRAQ HAVE LEFT THE
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL DEEPLY DIVIDED. THE COUNCIL HAS
BEEN HOLDING DISCUSSIONS OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS AIMED AT
BUILDING A CONSENSUS ON KEY ISSUES CONCERNING IRAQ SUCH AS
SANCTIONS, WEAPONS INSPECTIONS AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON IS FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR
UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.
TEXT: DIVISIONS OVER IRAQ ARE NOT NEW IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL.
THEY HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE THE END OF THE 1991 GULF WAR, WHEN THE
UNITED NATIONS TOOK ON ITS ROLE OF OVERSEEING SANCTIONS,
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. BUT OVER THE
LAST FEW MONTHS, THOSE DIVISIONS HAVE GROWN AND ARE NOW
POLARIZING THE SECURITY COUNCIL.
THE COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY DISCUSSING WRITTEN PROPOSALS FROM FRANCE
AND RUSSIA THAT CALL FOR THE EASING OR REMOVAL OF SANCTIONS, AND
CHANGES IN THE WEAPONS INSPECTION SYSTEM THAT WOULD MAKE IT LESS
OBJECTIONABLE TO IRAQ. CHINA HAS GENERALLY SUPPORTED THESE
SUGGESTIONS. THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE BEEN THE
STRONGEST OPPONENTS OF ANY WEAKENING OF SANCTIONS AND
INSPECTIONS.
U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, PETER BURLEIGH SAYS:
/// BURLEIGH ACT ///
WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IRAQ IS DISARMED. THE U-S
GOVERNMENT DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS DOCUMENTED THAT
THE DISARMAMENT PROCESS FOR IRAQ HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
AND IT APPEARS THAT THE FRENCH PROPOSAL MAKES THAT
ASSUMPTION, EITHER THAT IRAQ IS DISARMED OR THAT THERE
IS NOTHING FURTHER TO BE KNOWN.
/// END ACT ///
THERE IS ALSO STRONG DISAGREEMENT OVER THE ROLE OF THE U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM, AND ITS LEADER, RICHARD
BUTLER. WASHINGTON SAYS IT SUPPORTS UNSCOM AND MR. BUTLER. BUT
SEVERAL OTHER NATIONS ON THE COUNCIL WANT UNSCOM CHANGED TO
REDUCE ITS TIES TO WESTERN NATIONS AND ITS LEADER REMOVED.
RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR, SERGEI LAVROV, HAS LED CALLS FOR THE
ABOLITION OF UNSCOM, AMID REPORTS THAT UNSCOM HELPED THE UNITED
STATES SPY ON IRAQ.
/// LAVROV ACT ///
WE HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT UNSCOM MUST BE REFORMED AND
THAT THE REPORT BY UNSCOM, WHICH WAS THE TRIGGER FOR THE
AIR STRIKES IN DECEMBER, WAS A PROVOCATION AND IT WAS A
REPORT WITH BAD INTENTIONS AND INACCURATE AND TELLING
HALF-TRUTHS AND SOMETIMES NOT THE TRUTH.
/// END ACT ///
WASHINGTON, IN AN APPARENT EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE COUNCIL'S TIES
WITH IRAQ, HAS PROPOSED MEASURES THAT WOULD ALLOW IRAQ TO OBTAIN
MORE MONEY FOR MEDICINE AND HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES. IRAQ HAS
REJECTED THAT PROPOSAL.
DIPLOMATS SAY THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
-- RUSSIA, CHINA, THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN AND FRANCE -- ARE
FAR FROM A CONSENSUS ON THESE KEY ISSUES. BUT THEY SAY THERE IS
A CLEAR EFFORT BY THOSE FIVE COUNTRIES TO SEARCH FOR AREAS OF
AGREEMENT. FAILURE TO REACH A CONSENSUS ON IRAQ, THEY SAY, WILL
ERODE THE COUNCIL'S AUTHORITY.
IRAQ, MEANWHILE, SAYS IT WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY COMPROMISES. IT IS
DEMANDING THE COMPLETE AND IMMEDIATE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AND AN
END TO INSPECTIONS. U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS TAKING A
WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH. HE SAYS THE FIRST STEP IS FOR THE
SECURITY COUNCIL TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS ANY AREAS OF AGREEMENT.
DIPLOMATS SAY THAT WILL BE A LONG AND DIFFICULT PROCESS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/GE
15-Jan-99 3:11 PM EST (2011 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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