DATE=7/7/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251545
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / WEAPONS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS HAS REACHED AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ TO
SEND A SPECIAL TEAM OF WEAPONS EXPERTS TO BAGHDAD. THE TEAM WILL
CLOSE THE LABORATORIES THERE OF THE CONTROVERSIAL U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM. MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT
MAX RUSTON.
TEXT: U-N SPOKESMAN MANOEL DE ALMEIDA E SILVA SAYS THE
FIVE-PERSON TEAM WILL LEAVE NEW YORK THURSDAY FOR BAHRAIN. IT
WILL RECEIVE A BRIEFING FROM UNSCOM STAFF THERE BEFORE FLYING TO
JORDAN AND TRAVELLING BY ROAD TO BAGHDAD.
/// DE ALMEIDA E SILVA ACT ///
THE TECHNICAL MISSION IS BEING SENT TO CLOSE THE BAGHDAD
LABORATORIES OF THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION ON IRAQ,
UNSCOM, WHICH REPORTEDLY CONTAINS DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.
THE TEAM WILL BE COMPRISED OF FOUR EXPERTS FROM THE
ORGANIZATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS,
O-P-C-W, AS WELL AS ONE INDEPENDENT BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
EXPERT.
/// END ACT ///
THE TEAM INCLUDES ONE PERSON EACH FROM SOUTH AFRICA, CHINA,
RUSSIA, POLAND AND GERMANY. THE U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS THREE SENIOR
FOREIGN DIPLOMATS BASED IN BAGHDAD WILL OBSERVE THE TEAM AS IT
CARRIES OUT ITS WORK.
UNSCOM LEFT IRAQ IN DECEMBER, WHEN BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES
LAUNCHED A SERIES OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE COUNTRY. THOSE
STRIKES WERE IN RETALIATION FOR BAGHDAD'S REFUSAL TO ABIDE BY
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS REQUIRING COOPERATION WITH THE
WEAPONS INSPECTORS. IRAQ HAS NOT ALLOWED THE UNSCOM WEAPONS
INSPECTORS BACK IN THE COUNTRY SINCE THAT TIME.
IRAQ SAYS IT IS CONCERNED THAT UNSCOM LEFT BEHIND SOME DANGEROUS
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES AT ITS LABORATORIES IN
BAGHDAD. IT HAS ASKED FOR THE REMOVAL OF THOSE SUBSTANCES BUT
REFUSED TO ALLOW UNSCOM TO PARTICIPATE.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO REACH A CONSENSUS ON
HOW TO REVIVE THE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ. THERE SEEMS TO BE
AGREEMENT AMONG COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE CREATION OF A NEW
INSPECTION COMMISSION TO REPLACE UNSCOM. BUT IRAQ SAYS IT WILL
NOT COOPERATE WITH THE INSPECTIONS UNLESS SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER
THE GULF WAR ARE FIRST EASED OR LIFTED. COUNCIL MEMBERS REMAIN
DIVIDED ON THAT ISSUE. CHINA, RUSSIA AND FRANCE SUPPORT THE
EASING OF SANCTIONS. BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES OPPOSE SUCH A
MOVE, SAYING BAGHDAD MUST FIRST DEMONSTRATE COOPERATION ON THE
INSPECTION ISSUE. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
07-Jul-99 3:28 PM EDT (1928 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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