DATE=12/8/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-IRAQ RESOLUTION (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256974
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council today
(Wednesday) moved a few steps closer to a vote on a
so-called "comprehensive" resolution on Iraq. As
correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United
Nations, the resolution would deal with U-N weapons
inspections in Iraq as well as U-N economic sanctions
against the country.
TEXT: After three hours of closed-door Security
Council consultations, U-S representative Peter
Burleigh told reporters it is time for the council to
vote.
/// Burleigh Act ///
Whether we have a consensus in the end or not,
it is, in our view, time for the Security
Council to come to closure on this subject
because, frankly, the debates we are having are
not on new issues. They are discussions on
issues that we have been looking at for many
months. So governments need to make political
decisions about how they stand on the resolution
and the council needs to move forward, in our
view.
/// End Act ///
The Security Council has been discussing a proposal
that would return weapons inspectors to Iraq and lift
U-N economic sanctions against the country.
Mr. Burleigh says the biggest area of disagreement
involves the terms under which the nine-year old
economic sanctions against Iraq would be lifted.
The United States and Britain want weapons inspectors
to return to Iraq and - if Iraq fully cooperates with
the inspectors - most economic sanctions would be
lifted. However, sanctions could be re-imposed if the
weapons inspectors report Iraq is not complying with
the inspection program. Iraq expelled U-N weapons
inspectors a year ago.
However, there are reported to be significant
differences between the United States and Russia over
how to judge whether Iraq is in compliance. The
French government also has some problems with the
proposed resolution and diplomats say China would
likely follow Russia's position. The United States
and Britain have been hoping to persuade China, France
and Russia to at least abstain in a Security Council
vote. As permanent members, a "no" vote from any one
of them would veto the resolution.
But, the United States has now apparently come to the
point where it wants a vote on the resolution - even
if there is no consensus on the Security Council. A
vote could come within the next several days. (Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JP
08-Dec-1999 15:52 PM EDT (08-Dec-1999 2052 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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