DATE=1/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258507
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States has welcomed the choice of
Hans Blix as chief U-N arms inspector for Iraq, but
Baghdad says the decision will not end the stalemate
over weapons inspections. From the State Department,
VOA's Kyle King reports.
TEXT: U-S officials describe Swedish diplomat Hans
Blix as a man of proven ability. The former head of
the International Atomic Energy Agency was selected by
the U-N Security Council Wednesday, breaking weeks of
deadlock over the choice.
Some critics of Mr. Blix have said they do not believe
he will be as effective as the head of the new U-N
weapons inspection program for Iraq as Rolf Ekeus.
Mr. Ekeus, a former head of the weapons inspection
program, was nominated by the Secretary General, but
the choice was rejected by Russia, China and France.
Despite the selection of the more acceptable
candidate, Iraqi officials still oppose the creation
of a new arms inspection program.
Iraqi Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Nizar Hamdoon is
quoted by Radio Monte Carlo as saying the choice of
Mr. Blix will not end the impasse.
State Department spokesman James Rubin says Iraq is
only harming itself by refusing to allow weapons
inspections.
/// RUBIN ACT ///
So long as Iraq refuses to cooperate the
Sanctions will Stay on indefinitely, the United
States will continue its policy of containment,
and when Iraq purports to act in ways that could
affect our national interest we will respond
accordingly, so Iraq is only shooting itself in
the foot by failing to cooperate with the
International community's demand that it allow
these inspectors in.
/// END ACT ///
Baghdad barred U-N weapons inspectors from Iraq in
December of 1998, a move that triggered a bombing
campaign by the United States and Britain.
The United Nations Security Council passed a
resolution last month that could allow the easing of
sanctions on Iraq if it allowed the inspections to
resume. Iraqi officials say they have major
reservations about the resolution. (Signed)
NEB/KBK/TVM/PT
27-Jan-2000 18:45 PM EDT (27-Jan-2000 2345 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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