DATE=4/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247860
TITLE=U-N / COUNCIL / IRAQ (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THERE ARE SIGNS OF INCREASING DIVISION IN THE UNITED
NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL OVER ITS IRAQ DISARMAMENT POLICY. THE
COUNCIL HELD CLOSED-DOOR TALKS ON THE ISSUE TODAY (FRIDAY), AS WE
HEAR FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.
TEXT: THE STRONGEST DIVISION IN THE COUNCIL IS OVER THE U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION UNSCOM AND ITS CHIEF, RICHARD
BUTLER. DIPLOMATS SAY RUSSIA IS LEADING A CAMPAIGN TO CLOSE MR.
BUTLER OUT OF COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS, AND ULTIMATELY TO REMOVE HIM
FROM HIS POST. ON FRIDAY, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR SERGEI LAVROV SAID
UNSCOM HAS BECOME A JOKE -- A REFERENCE TO ITS INABILITY TO WORK
IN IRAQ SINCE DECEMBER, WHEN U-S AND BRITISH FORCES BEGAN AIR
STRIKES AGAINST THAT COUNTRY. IRAQ HAS BARRED UNSCOM FROM THE
COUNTRY SINCE THAT TIME.
DIPLOMATS SAY CHINA IS ALSO STRONGLY OPPOSED TO MR. BUTLER AND
THAT FRANCE WOULD PREFER THAT HIS CONTRACT IS NOT RENEWED WHEN
ITS EXPIRES IN JUNE.
IN THE COUNCIL, THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN ARE THE STRONGEST
SUPPORTERS OF MR. BUTLER. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY THINK HE HAS
DONE AN EFFECTIVE JOB AND SHOULD REMAIN IN HIS POST.
BAGHDAD HAS ACCUSED MR. BUTLER OF COOPERATING WITH U-S
INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS IN IRAQ -- A CHARGE MR. BUTLER AND U-S
OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED.
THE LATEST DISPUTE CONCERNING MR. BUTLER CAME AS THE COUNCIL HELD
A SECOND DAY OF DISCUSSIONS ON ITS EFFORTS TO REVIVE U-N
DISARMAMENT AND WEAPONS MONITORING EFFORTS IN IRAQ. THE
DISCUSSIONS ARE FOCUSSING ON A REPORT PREPARED FOR THE COUNCIL
OUTLINING WHAT COULD BE DONE TO MAKE CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGES TO THE
DISARMAMENT PROCESS.
IRAQ HAS REJECTED THE REPORT, SAYING IT FAILS TO RECOGNIZE WHAT
IRAQ CALLS UNSCOM'S EXAGGERATED, UNPROFESSIONAL AND INCOMPETENT
PRACTICES. IRAQ SAYS IT WILL NOT CONSIDER COOPERATION WITH U-N
DISARMAMENT EFFORTS UNLESS SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR
ARE FIRST LIFTED.
BRAZIL'S AMBASSADOR CELSO AMORIM CHAIRED THE PANEL OF EXPERTS
THAT PREPARED THE RECOMMENDATIONS REJECTED BY IRAQ.
/// AMORIM ACT ///
WE DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE OF
INITIAL REACTIONS, SO I THINK WHEN THE COUNCIL HAS A
POLICY OR AN APPROACH FRAMED IN A PROPER WAY, THEN IT
WILL BE THE TIME TO ENGAGE IRAQ, AND THEN IT WILL BE THE
TIME TO LOOK FOR THEIR [IRAQ'S] REACTION.
/// END ACT ///
MR. AMORIM SAYS THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOCUS ON TECHNICAL CHANGES
THAT COULD BE MADE IN THE DISARMAMENT PROCESS AND NOT ON THE
QUESTION OF HOW TO ESTABLISH COOPERATION WITH IRAQ. HE SAYS
TRYING TO ENGAGE IRAQ IN THE DISARMAMENT PROCESS IS THE MOST
DIFFICULT ASPECT OF THE ISSUE NOW BEFORE THE COUNCIL. OTHER
DIPLOMATS SAY THE COUNCIL IS JUST BEGINNING TO APPROACH THAT
IMPORTANT CHALLENGE. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
09-Apr-99 3:42 PM EDT (1942 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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