DATE=  11/20/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-223026

TITLE=IRAQ THURSDAY WRAP (L ONLY)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE U-N CRISIS WITH IRAQ SEEMS TO SUBSIDING, AS THE 

SPECIAL COMMISSION DISARMING IRAQ PREPARES TO RESUME WEAPONS 

INSPECTIONS -- WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF AMERICANS.   V-O-A 

CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:  



TEXT:  THE SECURITY COUNCIL FORMALLY REVIEWED AND APPROVED AN 

OFFICIAL LETTER FROM BAGHDAD INVITING THE INSPECTORS TO RESUME 

THEIR WORK.  SPECIAL COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER SAYS THE 

U-N TEAMS SHOULD BE BACK IN BAGHDAD FRIDAY (AROUND NOON, LOCAL 

TIME):



                         //BUTLER ACT//



         I'M SATISFIED WITH THESE DECISIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF 

         IRAQ. WE'LL GO BACK NOW AND GET BACK TO WORK. AND I 

         HONESTLY HOPE OUR WORK WILL FOLLOW A NORMAL PATTERN AND 

         BE MARKED BY COOPERATION AND PROGRESS IN DISARMAMENT



                           //END ACT//



U-N OFFICIALS ARE RELIEVED THE CRISIS DID NOT ESCALATE INTO 

MILITARY CONFRONTATION. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CALLED IT A 

VICTORY FOR DIPLOMACY.



U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN -- PAYING A COURTESY CALL ON 

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL THURSDAY -- SAID AMERICAN FORCES WOULD 

REMAIN IN THE GULF BUT PROBABLY WOULD NOT NEED TO BE STRENGTHENED

FURTHER (BEYOND ALREADY-ISSUED DEPLOYMENT ORDERS):



                          //COHEN ACT//



         AS YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT SENT TO

         THE REGION.  I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT THAT WOULD MAKE A 

         SUFFICIENT COMPLEMENT THAT WE HAVE IN THE REGION FOR THE

         TIME BEING.  AFTER TODAY, I WOULD NOT SEE THE NEED FOR 

         ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT OR ASSETS UNLESS THE 

         COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CENTRAL COMMAND SHOULD REQUIRE

         IT.



                           //END ACT//



STILL, A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY REMAINS.  DIPLOMATS ARE ASSUMING A 

WATCHFUL POSE.  THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS DEMANDING FULL ACCESS TO 

ALL SUSPECTED WEAPONS FACILITIES.  BAGHDAD CONSIDERS SOME SITES 

OFF-LIMITS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY REASONS AND HAS REPEATEDLY 

BLOCKED ENTRY.  THE SPECIAL COMMISSION BELIEVES IRAQ WAS HIDING 

BANNED MATERIAL IN THOSE AREAS.



ALSO, IRAQ CONTINUES TO BE SUSPICIOUS OF AMERICAN-PILOTED U-N 

SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS.  IRAQ'S U-N AMBASSADOR SAYS BAGHDAD'S 

POSITION REMAINS THE SAME, WHICH IS THAT THE U-2 PLANES ARE ON 

SPYING MISSIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES.  BUT NO NEW THREATS HAVE 

BEEN ISSUED TO SHOOT THEM DOWN.



THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IS HOLDING AN 

ALL-DAY MEETING FRIDAY TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATED TO THE 

INSPECTIONS.  BAGHDAD WANTS THE U-N TEAMS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 

MORE REPRESENTATIVES FROM COUNTRIES IT CONSIDERS SYMPATHETIC TO 

ITS GRIEVANCES.



THE UNITED STATES WARNED AGAIN ON THURSDAY AGAINST PLAYING 

POLITICS WITH THE COMPOSITION OF THE TEAMS.  THIS LATEST CRISIS 

BEGAN WHEN BAGHDAD ORDERED THE EXPUSLION OF ALL AMERICANS  ON 

OCTOBER 29TH.  IT CARRIED OUT ITS THREAT LAST WEEK, PROMPTING THE

SPECIAL COMMISSION TO PULL OUT ALL THE INSPECTORS.  (SIGNED)



NEB/EJ/RRM











 



20-Nov-97 5:56 PM EST (2256 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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