Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=09/30/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ INSPECTORS (L)

NUMBER=2-294658

BYLINE=DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN

DATELINE=VIENNA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Talks between U-N weapons inspectors and Iraqi arms experts have opened in Vienna. Douglas Bakshian reports the inspectors hope to return to Iraq after a four-year break.

TEXT: Chief U-N weapons inspector Hans Blix told reporters he is restrained in what he can say, because the U-N Security Council wants to have the first report. But in answer to a journalist's question, Mr. Blix said there are to be no limits on where the inspectors can go.

He said the Vienna meetings will focus on the logistics of the inspectors' return.

/// BLIX ACT ///

It has to do with access to Iraq. Entry into Iraq and the accommodation of inspectors, the headquarters that we have in Baghdad, movement inside Iraq, security of inspectors, taking of samples and taking samples out of Iraq, etc. There are very many of these things.

///END ACT ///

The inspectors left Iraq about four years ago. They pulled out in December 1998 amid allegations that the Baghdad government was not cooperating. Mr. Blix says the discussions in Vienna are intended to avoid problems once the inspectors are inside Iraq.

/// Blix act //

The purpose of the talks is that we like to ensure that, if and when inspections come about, we will not have clashes inside. We would rather go through these things outside, in advance. And we have even said that we will not deploy inspectors to Iraq until we have had talks about these things.

/// end act ///

As Mr. Blix meets with Iraqi officials, the Security Council is considering a tough resolution drafted by the United States and Britain that threatens military action and changes the operating rules for inspectors.

The draft reportedly seeks guarantees that inspectors be protected by armed

U-N security forces, and be given access to all Iraqi territory. Iraq would

have just one week to accept the conditions if the resolution is adopted. Baghdad initially rejected the draft, but U-S and British officials say there is room for compromise as the resolution works its way through the Security Council.

U-N weapons inspection teams originally went to Iraq following the 1991 Gulf War under Security Council resolutions that linked destruction of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction to the lifting of U-N sanctions. Those sanctions were applied after Iraq invaded Kuwait, and are still in effect. (signed)

NEB/DB/AWP/FC