DATE=  11/22/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-223103

TITLE=IRAQ / BUTLER (L)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO: THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION RESPONSIBLE FOR DISARMING IRAQ 

HAS RECOMMENDED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL (SATURDAY) INCREASING 

NON-AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE U-N INSPECTION TEAMS WITHOUT ACTUALLY

REDUCING THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS ON THE TEAMS.  BUT AFTER A LONG 

EMERGENCY SESSION THAT ENDED IN THE EARLY HOURS SATURDAY, THE 

COMMISSION'S ADVISORY BOARD TURNED DOWN OTHER PROPOSALS BY 

RUSSIA, WHICH BROKERED THE ACCORD THAT ENDED THE IRAQI-U-N 

WEAPONS CRISIS.  VOA'S ELAINE JOHANSON HAS THIS REPORT.



TEXT: THE RUSSIANS WERE EAGER TO CLOSE IRAQ'S NUCLEAR FILE AND 

SET A DATE FOR DISCONTINUING THE SEARCH FOR BANNED MISSILES.  THE

SPECIAL COMMISSION HELD OUT HOPE FOR AN EARLY RESOLUTION OF THE 

NUCLEAR QUESTION, BUT DECIDED TO LEAVE ALL FILES OPEN FOR THE 

TIME BEING.  AND IT NOTED THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUE REMAINS IRAQ'S 

BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CAPABILITY.



THE COMMISSION ALSO CALLED ON BAGHDAD TO STOIP CONCEALING BANNED 

MATERIAL AND GIVE U-N INSPECTORS FULL AND IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO ALL

FACILITIES.  IT ALSO RECOMMENDED ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY TO 

FACILITATE THE COMMISSION'S WORK, AS WELL AS MORE SURVEILLANCE 

FLIGHTS.  IRAQ HAS TAKEN ISSUE WITH AMERICAN-PILOTED U-2 PLANES 

THAT OPERATE IN SUPPORT OF THE GEROUND INSPECTIONS.



U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON HAILED THE COMMISSION'S REPORT AS 

BALANCED AND SAID IT SENT A STRONG MESSAGE TO BAGHDAD TO 

COOPERATE FULLY.  HE ALSO WARNED AGAINST FURTHER IRAQI DEFIANCE:



//  RICHARDSON ACT //



THE CRISIS HAS EASED, BUT IT'S NOT OVER.  IRAQ MAY TRY ANOTHER 

TRICK AGAIN SOON.  BUT THIS IS A DEVASTATING REPORT FOR IRAQ.  

THEY TRY TO DIVIDE THE COUNCIL.  THE TRY TO POLITICIZE UNSCOM 

(SPECIAL COMMISSION).  THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.  WHAT IT SHOWS, 

THOUGH, IS THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT IRAQ COMPLIES.



// END ACT //



AT THE SAME TIME, AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON PRAISED RUSSIAN DIPLOMACY

THAT RESULTED IN THE RETURN OF ALL INSPECTORS TO BAGHDAD.  IRAQ'S

EXPULSION OF THE AMERICANS MORE THAN A WEEK AGO PROMPTED THE 

SPECIAL COMMISSION TO PULL OUT ITS ENTIRE TEAM IN PROTEST.



RUSSIA'S U-N AMBASSADOR SERGEI LAVROV SAID HE WAS SATISFIED WITH 

THE COMMISSION'S REPORT AND DISMISSED QUESTIONS ABOUT RUSSIA'S 

FAILURE TO GET EVERYTHING IT WANTED.  HE EMPHASIZED THAT NO ONE 

LOSES BY THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION -- 

ESPECIALLY IRAQ.



// LAVROV ACT //



THERE ARE QUITE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH I BELIEVE ARE VERY

USEFUL NOT ONLY FOR THE SPECIAL COMMISSION ITSELF, BUT FOR THE 

SECURITY COUNCIL AND FOR THE IRAQIS BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE 

INTERESTED IN HAVING THIS MONITORING PHASE RUNNING SUCCESSFULLY. 

SO I DON'T THINK ANYTHING BACKFIRED.  EVERYTHING IS FIRING 

FORWARD AND WE ARE PROPELLING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.



// END ACT //



THE RUSSIANS HAD WANTED THE COUNCIL TO ISSUE A FORMAL STATEMENT 

CALLING FOR SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO CARRY THROUGH ON THE 

RECOMMENDATIONS.  BUT MEMBERS DECIDED TO HOLD OFF AND DISCUSS THE

COMMISSION'S  REPORT AGAIN ON MONDAY. (SIGNED)



NEB/EJ/EH-T



22-Nov-97 3:46 PM EST (2046 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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