DATE=  11/12/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-222559

TITLE=IRAQ/U-N VOTE (L)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UNANIMOUSLY 

ADOPTED A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING IRAQ'S OBSTRUCTION OF U-N WEAPONS

INSPECTIONS AND PUTTING NEW TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON THOSE 

RESPONSIBLE.  IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, TARIQ AZIZ -- WHO HAS

BEEN IN NEW YORK SINCE MONDAY -- DECIDED NOT TO ATTEND THE 

DEBATE.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.  



TEXT:  THE SECURITY COUNCIL LEFT BAGHDAD ROOM TO BACK OFF 

(RETREAT).   IT PROMISED THE NEW TRAVEL SANCTIONS WOULD BE LIFTED

ONE DAY AFTER THE SPECIAL COMMISSION DISARMING IRAQ REPORTS THE 

INSPECTIONS ARE RESUMING WITHOUT IMPEDIMENT AND WITHOUT 

CONDITIONS.



BUT THE COUNCIL UNEQUIVOCALLY REJECTED IRAQ'S ORDER TO EXPEL 

AMERICANS ON THE INSPECTION TEAMS AND SHOOT DOWN U-S PILOTED 

SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS.  EVEN EGYPT -- THE COUNCIL'S ONLY ARAB 

MEMBER -- SUPPORTED THE RESOLUTION AFTER REJECTING A TRAVEL BAN 

LAST MONTH.  EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR NABIL ELARABY EXPLAINED IRAQ IS 

ACTING AGAINST ITS OWN INTERESTS.



HOWEVER -- SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER -- HE APPEALED FOR 

MORE DIPLOMACY. 



                       //INTREPRETOR ACT//



         IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THE DIALOGUE WILL CONTINUE, THAT THE

         USE OF DIPLOMATIC MEANS WILL CONTINUE AND IT IS OUR HOPE

         THAT NORMAL RELATIONS WOULD BE RESUMED BETWEEN IRAQ AND 

         THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IN A MANNER THAT WOULD ENABLE THE

         COUNCIL TO CONSIDER LIFTING THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON THE

         IRAQI PEOPLE.



                           //END ACT//







FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA -- SYMPATHETIC TO IRAQ'S CASE AGAINST 

SANCTIONS -- ALSO OPTED FOR COUNCIL UNITY IN THIS NEW STAND-OFF 

WITH BAGHDAD.  



IRAQ HAS BEEN UNDER A STRICT ECONOMIC EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED 

KUWAIT IN 1990.  THE COUNCIL CANNOT EASE THE MEASURES UNTIL THE 

SPECIAL COMMISSION CERTIFIES IRAQ NO LONGER HAS WEAPONS OF MASS 

DESTRUCTION.



U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON CALLED THE VOTE A STRONG SIGNAL 

THAT BAGHDAD'S BEHAVIOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  AFTER THE 

MEETING, HE TOLD REPORTERS IT'S NOT OVER YET.



                       //RICHARDSON ACT//



         THE CRISIS WITH IRAQ IS NOT OVER.  THE END-GAME IS THE 

         RE-OPENING UNCONDITIONALLY OF UNSCOM (THE U-N INSPECTION

         COMMISSION).  THIS IS NOT A RESOLUTION ABOUT JUST TRAVEL

         SANCTIONS. THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN UNITED.  THE 

         MESSAGE HAS BEEN CLEAR.  IRAQ MUST COMPLY OR FACE 

         CONSEQUENCES.



                           //END ACT//



THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION DOES NOT THREATEN IRAQ WITH MILITARY 

ACTION, ONLY UNSPECIFIED FURTHER MEASURES IF IT FAILS TO 

COOPERATE.  BUT WASHINGTON APPARENTLY IS KEEPING ALL OPTIONS 

OPEN.  AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON SAID THE UNITED STATES IS NOT RULING

OUT ANYTHING. (SIGNED)



NEB/EJ/RRM







12-Nov-97 3:29 PM EST (2029 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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