Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=01/09/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=UNSC-IRAQ REACT(L-only)

NUMBER=2-298211

BYLINE=JAMES DONAHOWER

DATELINE=NEW YORK

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations Security Council expressed its full support for the weapons inspections team in Iraq after a briefing from team leaders, Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei. James Donahower reports.

TEXT: Security Council members expressed confidence in the inspections team's work to date.

The United Nations' top weapons inspectors told the Security Council today (Thursday), after six weeks of inspections, there are no indications yet that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction. But the weapons inspectors said Baghdad has left too many questions unanswered.

The lingering doubts about the sincerity of the Iraq's arms declaration, submitted on December 7th of last year, led members to conclude that Iraq is not sufficiently cooperating with the inspection team.

U-S Ambassador John Negroponte says the declaration represents a deliberate attempt to deceive by omission.

///NEGROPONTE ACT///

We considered their declaration to be a further material breach. We are not the only ones who have commented on it, Iraq's lack of pro-active co-operation today. I think virtually every member who spoke on this subject talked about the importance of not only having a legalistic approach to the inspections process, but a pro-active cooperation on the part of Iraq is required. In other words, just providing access is not sufficient to constitute active cooperation.

///END ACT///

Mr. Negroponte insisted that Iraq must answer outstanding questions about its weapons of mass destruction. It is not the U-N inspection team's obligation to provide verifiable evidence of disarmament, he says, but Iraq's.

But Syria's Ambassador, Mikhail Wehbe, says that Iraq is complying with U-N resolutions.

///WEHBE ACT///

Everybody knows that Iraq accepted resolution 1441, is committed to 1441, and is cooperating well, as reported by Mr. Blix, as you listen to him and to Mr. Baradei. So, I don't know what they mean by "proactive", more than this proactive cooperation.

///END ACT///

Inspectors Blix and ElBaradei will return to Iraq on January 19th. The are scheduled to present a complete report on their findings to the Security Council on January 27th. (Signed)

NEB/NYC/JAD/BJS/PT