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DATE=1/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244241
TITLE=U-N / RUSSIA / IRAQ (L  - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  RUSSIA IS PROPOSING (FRIDAY) THAT THE UNITED NATIONS 
SECURITY COUNCIL ESTABLISH A NEW ARMS CONTROL BODY FOR IRAQ TO 
REPLACE THE EXISTING U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  
V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT:  RUSSIA HAS SUBMITTED A THREE-PAGE PROPOSAL TO THE COUNCIL 
SUGGESTING A NEW ARMS CONTROL SYSTEM FOR IRAQ AND THE LIFTING OF 
THE OIL EMBARGO ON THAT COUNTRY.  IT IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF
PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY COUNCIL MEMBERS AIMED AT BREAKING THE 
LATEST DEADLOCK WITH IRAQ.
THE RUSSIAN DOCUMENT BLAMES THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN FOR THE
DEADLOCK.  IT SAYS THEIR MILITARY STRIKES IN DECEMBER RESULTED IN
THE TERMINATION OF UNSCOM ACTIVITIES.  IT SAYS UNSCOM IN ITS 
PRESENT FORM OBVIOUSLY CANNOT WORK ANY LONGER IN IRAQ.  RUSSIA 
SAYS A NEW INSPECTION BODY SHOULD BE CREATED.  IT WOULD BE 
CONTROLLED BY A NEW COMMITTEE REPRESENTING ALL 15 MEMBERS OF THE 
COUNCIL.
THE RUSSIAN DOCUMENT IS SIMILAR IN SOME WAYS TO A FRENCH PROPOSAL
SUBMITTED EARLIER THIS WEEK.  BOTH PROPOSALS SUGGEST SUBSTANTIAL 
CHANGES IN THE SANCTIONS AND WEAPONS INSPECTIONS SYSTEMS IN ORDER
TO MAKE THEM LESS OBJECTIONABLE TO IRAQ.
U-S REPRESENTATIVE PETER BURLEIGH WAS QUICK TO REJECT THE RUSSIAN
PROPOSAL.  HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO SUPPORT UNSCOM 
AND THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY -- THE MAIN COMPONENTS
IN THE INSPECTION SYSTEM.
                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///
         OF COURSE WE REJECT THAT.  WE THINK BOTH UNSCOM AND THE 
         I-A-E-A HAVE TO CONTINUE FUNCTIONING WITH REGARD TO THE 
         PROBLEM OF THE DISARMAMENT OF IRAQ.  THE QUESTION IS HOW
         TO GET THEM BACK INTO IRAQ SO THAT THEY CAN HELP THE 
         COUNCIL IMPLEMENT THE RESOLUTIONS IN PLAY.
                         /// END ACT ///
BAGHDAD HAS REFUSED TO ALLOW UNSCOM TO CARRY OUT ANY OF ITS WORK 
IN IRAQ FOLLOWING THE U-S AND BRITISH MILITARY STRIKES LAST 
MONTH.  THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO ESTABLISH 
SOME LEVEL OF COOPERATION WITH IRAQ WITHOUT USING FORCE.  IRAQ 
SAYS IT WANTS THE IMMEDIATE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AND AN END TO 
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.
DIPLOMATS SAY COUNCIL MEMBERS AGREE SOME SORT OF A MECHANISM IS 
NEEDED TO ENSURE IRAQ DOES NOT DEVELOP WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION.  BUT THERE ARE DEEP DIVISIONS OVER HOW TO ACHIEVE 
THAT OBJECTIVE.  (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
15-Jan-99 3:08 PM EST (2008 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.