ACCESSION NUMBER:00000

FILE ID:97102901.POL

DATE:10/29/97

TITLE:29-10-97  RICHARDSON WARNS IRAQ TO COOPERATE WITH UN ARMS INSPECTORS



TEXT:

(Says Iraq continues to violate UN Resolutions ) (340)

By Wendy Lubetkin

USIA European Correspondent



Geneva -- Iraq will face "grave consequences" if it suspends

cooperation with United Nations arms inspectors, U.S. Ambassador to

the United Nations Bill Richardson said October 29.



"There would be very negative consequences for Iraq if they continue

this pattern of obfuscation -- and of disobeying United Nations

Security Council resolutions, which they must abide by," Richardson

said.



The ambassador spoke at a news conference in Geneva during a brief

stop while returning to the United States following his visit to

Africa.



He pointed out, however, that the Iraqi parliament's recommendation to

end cooperation with UN arms control inspectors does not take effect

unless the Iraqi leadership endorses it.



Iraq's parliament recommended October 27 that the Iraqi government end

its cooperation with the UN Special Commission as a reaction to an

October 23 Security Council resolution that threatens to restrict

travel by some Iraqi officials and military.



"I think its another instance where Iraq shows its pattern of evasion,

of failing to respect the international community's will, and

continues to violate United Nations Security Council resolutions,"

Richardson said.



Asked whether the United States would take unilateral action against

Iraq if it moves to end cooperation with the commission, Richardson

said: "Let me just say that I think Iraq will face grave consequences

from the international community."



Richardson said he believes there is still strong solidarity among

Security Council members to ensure Iraqi compliance. He noted that the

text of the October 23 resolution is "even stronger" than the

resolution passed by the council in June.



"It is stronger in terms of substance, in terms of modalities, in

terms of eliminating reviews for Iraq in the sanctions process, in

terms of the listing of Iraqis who would face travel sanctions. It is

a strong resolution. The reason Iraq doesn't like it is because it is

strong."

NNNN