DATE=4/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N IRAQ ARMS INSPECTIONS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261290
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council has
approved plans for a new arms inspection commission to
deal with Iraq. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery
reports on today's (Thursday's) decision at the United
Nations.
TEXT: In a report to the Security Council, chief
weapons inspector Hans Blix outlined the structure of
the commission that was authorized last December.
Unlike the previous Iraqi arms commission, the vast
majority of the staff will be full-time U-N employees
who are not allowed to seek or receive instructions
from national governments. That is designed to
counter Iraqi objections that previous U-N inspectors
acted as spies for national governments.
However, Iraq has so far refused to cooperate with the
new inspection program and Mr. Blix says the initial
staffing of his commission will be -- as he puts it --
lean.
After the closed-door meeting, Russian Ambassador
Sergey Lavrov told reporters he believes Iraq will
eventually cooperate with the weapons inspections, if
the United States and Britain stop bombing Iraq.
/// Lavrov Act ///
The Security Council never authorized the
creation of "no-fly" zones. The Security
Council never authorized the violation of Iraqi
sovereignty and territorial integrity and the
Security Council never authorized the
undermining of the regime in Baghdad.
/// End Act ///
However, British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock defended
the bombings in the "no-fly" zones and told reporters
the United States and Britain have only reacted to
Iraqi provocations.
/// Greenstock Act ///
The action taken by U-S and U-K forces is only
responsive. Iraq has fired on or taken action
against U-S and U-K aircraft some 650 times
since December of 1998. We have instigated
action on no occasion, on no occasion.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Greenstock says the bombing in the no-fly zones is
justified under the U-N resolution that refers to the
protection of the Iraqi people.
/// Rest Opt ///
U-S Ambassador Richard Holbrooke attended the council
session on Iraqi arms inspections and also expressed
hope Iraq will cooperate with the inspections. Mr.
Holbrooke denied rumors at the United Nations that he
personally does not support the Clinton
administration's policies on Iraq and was avoiding
meetings on Iraq.
/// Holbrooke Act ///
I have no idea where the myth that I do not care
about Iraq came from. It is simply that the
more visible aspects of my activities have
involved other issues.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Holbrooke says his absences at previous Security
Council meetings on Iraq were caused by other business
and that he fully supports the administration's Iraq
policies. (Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JP
13-Apr-2000 16:07 PM EDT (13-Apr-2000 2007 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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