DATE=  11/3/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-222119

TITLE=S-G/IRAQ ( L)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN -- AS HIS 

THREE-MAN DELEGATION HEADS TO BAGHDAD TO DEFUSE THE LATEST CRISIS

OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS -- SAYS THE STAGE IS BEING SET FOR IRAQ 

TO SMOOTH OUT ITS RELATIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND 

PUT AN END TO ITS SEVEN-YEAR  ECONOMIC ISOLATION.  THE SECURITY 

COUNCIL MONDAY ENDORSED THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S DIPLOMATIC 

MISSION TO IRAQ, EVEN AS TWO OF THE ENVOYS WERE HEADING OUT THE 

DOOR TO THE AIRPORT.  VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS: 



TEXT:  SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN SAYS THE IMMEDIATE AIM OF HIS 

MISSION  IS TO PERSUADE IRAQ TO TAKE NO ACTION TO EXPEL AMERICANS

ATTACHED TO THE U-N INSPECTION TEAMS.  BAGHDAD SAYS THEY MUST BE 

OUT ON WEDNESDAY.



BUT MR. ANNAN HAS A DEEPER GOAL.  HE SAYS HE WANTS SADDAM HUSSEIN

TO REALIZE THERE IS HOPE THAT THE YEARS OF ECONOMIC PUNISHMENT 

FROM SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990 COULD 

COME TO AN END IF HE CHANGES HIS ATTITUDE:



                          //ANNAN ACT//



         AND I THINK IF THE IRAQI AUTHORITIES WERE TO COOPERATE 

         FULLY WE CAN REALLY MOVE ON WITH THE INSPECTIONS, WITH 

         THE ELIMINATION OF THE WEAPONS AND BEGIN TO SEE LIGHT AT

         THE END OF THE TUNNEL.  BUT OF COURSE IT WOULD DEPEND ON

         THEM AND THEIR COOPERATION.



                           //END ACT//



MR. ANNAN'S ENVOYS WILL DELIVER A LETTER TO THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.

HE WOULD NOT DISCLOSE ITS CONTENTS BUT SUGGESTED IT SPELLS OUT 

THE TERMS OF THE MISSION -- WHICH IS NOT TO NEGOTIATE BUT TO 

PERSUADE.



THE SECRETARY-GENERAL DISMISSES TALK OF OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES 

DIPLOMACY -- PERHAPS A MILITARY SOLUTION, WHICH WASHINGTON HAS 

NOT RULED OUT.  HE SAYS HE EXPECTS HIS MISSION TO SUCCEED.



RICHARD BUTLER -- WHO HEADS THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IN CHARGE OF 

THE INSPECTIONS -- SAYS IT IS CLEAR THE UNITED NATIONS WILL NOT 

BACK DOWN FROM ITS POSITION THAT THE AMERICANS MUST BE ALLOWED TO

PARTICIPATE:



                         //BUTLER ACT//



         I'M A LITTLE TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT THEIR NATIONALITY.  

         THAT'S NOT RELEVANT.  THEY ARE OFFICIALS OF UNSCOM 

         (SPECIAL COMMISSION) AND THEY WILL GO TO WORK TOMORROW 

         IN THE NORMAL WAY.  SHOULD ANYONE ASK THEM WHAT'S YOUR 

         NATIONALITY THEY'LL SAY "I WORK FOR THE UNITED NATIONS".

         AND THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO AND WE WILL CONTINUE DOING IT

         BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT.



                           //END ACT//



MR. BUTLER ALSO SAYS THE AMERICAN U-2 RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS -- 

WHICH ARE RUN ROUTINELY IN SUPPORT OF THE INSPECTIONS -- WILL 

CONTINUE.  IRAQ HAS THREATENED TO SHOOT THE PLANES DOWN. (SIGNED)



NEB/EJ/WFR



03-Nov-97 7:08 PM EST (0008 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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