Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=01/20/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / UN(SHORT)

NUMBER=2-298567

BYLINE= GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Iraq says it has agreed to more fully comply with U-N demands that it play a more active role in proving that it does not possess weapons of mass destruction. On Monday, Iraqi and senior U-N officials agreed on a new 10-point plan, but the U-N officials say more issues still need to be addressed.

VOA's Greg LaMotte has the details from our Middle East Bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: Iraq agreed Monday to encourage Iraqi scientists to be interviewed in private by U-N officials, to supply a supplemental list of people involved in weapons research programs, and to answer questions about its December 7th 12-thousand page weapons declaration. Iraq also promised to appoint a team of investigators to search for additional banned weapons, including empty chemical warheads, and to adopt national legislation regarding banned weapons.

The Iraqi statement came after two days of meetings in Baghdad with the chief U-N weapons inspector Hans Blix and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei.

But Mr. Blix says important issues remain, including the status of Iraqi stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons and the inspectors' desire to take Iraqi scientists out of the country for interviews.

The two officials are due to provide a status report to the U-N Security Council next Monday. (Signed)

NEB/GL/AWP