DATE=3/2/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246160
TITLE=U-N / ANNAN / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (S & L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS
(TUESDAY) HE HAS NO DIRECT KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE LATEST
CHARGES THAT THE UNITED STATES USED U-N FACILITIES TO SPY ON
IRAQ. THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM, ALSO SAYS
IT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CHARGES. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT
MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: MR. ANNAN SAYS HE HAS NO DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OF THE LATEST
CHARGES THAT WASHINGTON USED THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION
COMMISSION, UNSCOM, TO SPY ON IRAQ. BUT HE SAYS IF THE CHARGES
ARE SHOWN TO BE ACCURATE, IT WILL MAKE FUTURE DISARMAMENT WORK
MORE DIFFICULT.
/// ANNAN ACT ///
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THESE ALLEGATIONS WOULD MAKE
DISARMAMENT REGIMES OR FUTURE EFFORTS DIFFICULT IF
GOVERNMENTS BELIEVE THIS KIND OF THING CAN HAPPEN. BUT
I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO DRAW THE
RIGHT LESSONS AND ASSESS THE SITUATION.
/// END ACT ///
MR. ANNAN SAYS ALL U-N AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH IRAQI DISARMAMENT
WILL HAVE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND -- HE SAYS -- DETERMINE
WHAT STEPS ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE SANCTITY OF THEIR WORK.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER IS ALSO DENYING ANY KNOWLEDGE
CONCERNING THE LATEST SPYING ALLEGATIONS.
THE ALLEGATIONS ARE DETAILED IN AN ARTICLE IN THE WASHINGTON POST
NEWSPAPER TUESDAY. THE ARTICLE SAYS U-S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES
MODIFIED UNSCOM COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES TO MONITOR SENSITIVE
IRAQI COMMUNICATIONS. THE ARTICLE INDICATES THAT THE RESULTS OF
THE ALLEGED EAVESDROPPING WERE USED SOLELY FOR U-S INTERESTS AND
WERE NOT SHARED WITH UNSCOM.
U-S OFFICIALS SAY U-S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES HAVE, AT TIMES,
WORKED WITH UNSCOM. BUT THEY SAY SUCH ACTIVITIES WERE CARRIED
OUT ONLY TO ASSIST UNSCOM WITH ITS U-N MANDATED TASK OF DISARMING
IRAQ.
AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN STRESSED
THAT UNSCOM'S ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ ARE SUPERVISED BY THE U-N
SECURITY COUNCIL AND NOT THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S OFFICE.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO
02-Mar-99 2:16 PM EST (1916 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
NEWSLETTER
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