DATE=3/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ ARMS INSPECTOR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259730
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The new chief U-N weapons inspector for Iraq,
Hans Blix, formally began his work today (Wednesday)
by saying it is in Iraq's self-interest to permit
inspections to resume. V-O-A Correspondent Breck
Ardery reports from the United Nations.
TEXT: Mr. Blix told reporters he hopes the Iraqi
government will change its position and cooperate with
the U-N Security Council resolution that established
the new international weapons monitoring and
inspection commission.
/// Blix Act ///
The Iraqis may look on inspections as a penalty
which they like to minimize. I think they
should look at them as an opportunity that they
should maximize. Because if the (Iraqi)
government simply says it has nothing (EDS: no
prohibited weapons), there may not be much
confidence in the world about the statement.
But if you have international, impartial
inspectors who do a thorough job and they say
it, then the world may believe it.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Blix says his goal is not to humiliate Iraq. He
also pointed out the Security Council resolution says
that cooperation with new weapons inspections could
lead to the suspension of sanctions against Iraq.
A previous U-N arms inspection group left Iraq in
December of 1998 and there have been no inspections
since.
Mr. Blix, a Swedish diplomat and disarmament expert,
was asked about Iraqi charges that the previous arms
inspectors were spies for national governments. He
said the new inspection commission will eventually be
composed entirely of U-N employees who will not take
orders from or report to their national governments.
There are some deep divisions on Iraqi policy among
the five permanent members of the U-N Security
Council. The latest resolution establishing the new
inspection system was approved with abstentions by
China, France and Russia. Mr. Blix says he will
ignore the politics of the council and follow the
mandate given to him by the resolution unless and
until the council decides to change it.(Signed)
NEB/BA/LSF/JP
01-Mar-2000 14:42 PM EDT (01-Mar-2000 1942 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
