Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/04/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ANNAN / IRAQ (S)

NUMBER=2-300301

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan is calling Iraq's decision to begin destroying one of its missile systems a positive development. But says it will be up to the 15-member Security Council to decide whether this amounts to a step toward avoiding a threatened U-S-led war. V-O-A Correspondent Nick Simeone has the latest from the United Nations.

TEXT: Secretary General Annan says he considers Baghdad's decision to begin destroying its Al-Samoud two missiles a positive development which members of the Security Council will need to carefully consider before deciding whether to approve a U-S and British resolution that would in effect, give U-N backing to a war to disarm Iraq.

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If the council were to manage to come together and resolve this crisis effectively and successfully, the credibility and influence of the council will be enhanced. On the other hand, if the action were to be taken outside council authority, the support for that action, popular and otherwise, would also be diminished.

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A vote in the Security Council is expected next week. But so far, the United States and Britain which both say Iraq has failed its last chance to disarm, do not have the needed votes for passage -- and France has not dropped its threat to veto it. (SIGNED)

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