DATE=1/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ / U-N (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258222
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States is expressing strong support
for U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan's nominee to be
the new chief arms inspector for Iraq. The
nomination of diplomat Rolf Ekeus is proving highly
controversial, but Washington says his opponents are
playing into Iraq's hands. From the State Department,
V-O-A's Kyle King reports.
TEXT: So far, Russia, France and China have lined up
against the nomination of Swedish disarmament expert,
Rolf Ekeus, to head of the new inspection commission
for Iraq.
The Baghdad government has also rejected the
nomination of Mr. Ekeus, who established the first
inspection regime in Iraq after the Persian Gulf war
in 1991.
China and Russia have said other candidates for the
arms inspection post might have a better chance of
getting Iraqi cooperation.
State Department spokesman James Rubin says Mr. Ekeus
is well qualified, and Iraq's preference should not be
taken into account.
/// Rubin Act ///
We think it is unwise in the extreme for
countries to allow Iraq to have veto power over
what the Security Council and the Secretary-
General's decisions are in the area of arms
control for Iraq.
/// End Act ///
Officials say Mr. Ekeus is well qualified for the job
and the Security Council should support him.
Russia has been leading the opposition to the
nomination, saying it will have nothing to do with
anyone associated with the former Iraqi weapons
inspection program.
Some analysts describe the opposition to the Secretary
General's choice as a crisis of credibility.
U-S officials say consultations in the Security
Council will continue. They say they don't know how
long it will take, but it should not be an endless
process. (Signed)
NEB/KBK/JP
19-Jan-2000 16:38 PM EDT (19-Jan-2000 2138 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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