DATE=12/3/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-223626

TITLE=IRAQ/COUNCIL (L ONLY)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS CALLED FOR FULL ACCESS TO 

SUSPECTED WEAPONS FACILITIES IN IRAQ AND URGED STEPPING UP THE 

PACE OF DISARMAMENT IN THE COUNTRY.  CORRESPONDENT ELAINE 

JOHANSON REPORTS THE COUNCIL ISSUED A STATEMENT (WEDNESDAY) 

ENDORSING RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE U-N

SPECIAL COMMISSION FOR IRAQ NEARLY TWO-WEEKS AGO.



TEXT:  IRAQ IS STILL KEEPING WHAT IT CONSIDERS SENSITIVE SITES 

OFF-LIMITS FOR THE INSPECTORS.  SECURITY COUNCIL DIPLOMATS 

BELIEVE THE TURNING-POINT COULD COME WHEN SPECIAL COMMISSION 

CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER VISITS BAGHDAD THIS MONTH.  THE TRIP, 

ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR THIS WEEKEND, HAS BEEN PUT OFF FOR AT 

LEAST A WEEK AT THE REQUEST OF IRAQI OFFICIALS.



MEANWHILE, U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON WELCOMED THE COUNCIL'S 

DEMAND FOR FULL ACCESS:



                      // RICHARDSON ACT //



         RIGHT NOW THE COUNCIL IS UNITED IN PUSHING IRAQ TO 

         COMPLY WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS...SO THIS IS A VERY GOOD 

         INTERIM STEP AND WE ARE PLEASED WITH WHAT HAPPENED.



                          // END ACT //



IN THE WAKE OF IRAQ'S OCTOBER 29TH BAN AND SUBSEQUENT EXPULSION 

OF AMERICANS -- WHO ARE NOW BACK IN IRAQ -- THE SPECIAL 

COMMISSION PROPOSED ADDING MORE NON-AMERICAN INSPECTORS TO THE 

U-N TEAMS.  IT ALSO RECOMMENDED GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE THEM WITH 

MORE TECHNICAL SUPPORT -- WITH A VIEW TO CLOSING CERTAIN WEAPONS 

FILES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.



BUT, NO REAL PROGRESS IS ANTICIPATED UNTIL IRAQ LETS THE 

INSPECTORS RUMMAGE THROUGH SADDAM HUSSEIN'S PALATIAL RESIDENCES. 

THE SPECIAL COMMISSION SUSPECTS IRAQ MAY BE HIDING BANNED 

BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL MATERIAL AT SOME OF THOSE SITES.  



THE COUNCIL STATEMENT STRESSED THE EFFECTIVENESS AND SPEED WITH 

WHICH THE COMMISSION DOES ITS WORK DEPEND ON THE DEGREE OF 

COOPERATION IN BAGHDAD.  IT CONCEDES IRAQ'S SOVEREIGNTY AND 

NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, BUT ONLY 

TO THE EXTENT THEY DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE INSPECTIONS.



                          //REST OPT//



IRAQ HAS BEEN UNDER A STRICT ECONOMIC EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED 

KUWAIT IN 1990.  A BAN ON OIL SALES CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL THE 

SPECIAL COMMISSION CERTIFIES IRAQ NO LONGER HAS WEAPONS OF MASS 

DESTRUCTION OR THE CAPACITY FOR RE-BUILDING THEM.   (SIGNED) 



NEB/RAE



03-Dec-97 2:47 PM EST (1947 UTC)

NNNN



Source: Voice of America

.