Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=12/31/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / MIDEAST / U-N (S)

NUMBER=2-297935

BYLINE=SONJA PACE

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan says he sees no reason for military action against Iraq at this time. In an interview with Israel's Army Radio Tuesday, Mr. Annan said U-N inspectors searching for suspected chemical, biological and nuclear weapons in Iraq, should be allowed to finish their work before any military action is contemplated. Sonja Pace reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Kofi Annan told Israel's Army Radio that so far Iraq has cooperated with the U-N inspectors.

/// ANNAN ACT ///

Iraq is cooperating and they are able to do their work in an unimpeded manner and therefore I don't see an argument for a military action now.

///END ACT ///

U-S President Bush has threatened to attack Iraq if it does not come clean on (does not fully disclose information about) its possession of and plans to build weapons of mass destruction. Washington has expressed dissatisfaction with Iraqi disclosures thus far.

Mr. Annan said the inspectors should be allowed to finish their job before any further action is taken. He also said he is still hopeful the crisis can be resolved peacefully.

Mr. Annan also said he hopes that in the coming year, additional efforts will be made to resolve the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Signed)

NEB/SP/KL