DATE=12/22/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-224434

TITLE=IRAQ/COUNCIL (S ONLY)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL (MONDAY) HAS CALLED FOR IRAQ TO 

COOPERATE UNCONDITIONALLY WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  THE 

WARNING COMES AFTER BAGHDAD REFUSED TO OPEN SO-CALLED 

PRESIDENTIAL AREAS TO U-N TEAMS SEARCHING FOR MATERIAL RELATED TO

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON 

REPORTS:



TEXT:  A FORMAL STATEMENT BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL CALLED IRAQ'S 

DECISION TO KEEP CERTAIN AREAS OFF-LIMITS -- UN-ACCEPTABLE.  THE 

COUNCIL SIGNALED THE SPECIAL COMMISSION CONDUCTING THE 

INSPECTIONS WOULD MAKE NO CHANGE IN ITS PROGRAM TO ACCOMMODATE 

IRAQ.



THE COUNCIL DID NOT WARN OF PUNITIVE ACTION.  NOR DID IT CONDEMN 

IRAQ.  THE RUSSIANS INSISTED ON A SOFTER APPROACH.  THE UNITED 

STATES SEEMED SATISFIED.  U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON SAID THE

MESSAGE WAS UN-AMBIGUOUS.



                     /// RICHARDSON ACT ///



         IT HAS BEEN UNANIMOUS.  IT HAS BEEN STRONG.  IT HAS BEEN

         SWIFT.  AND AGAIN, IT SENDS AN UNMISTAKABLE SIGNAL FOR 

         IRAQ TO COMPLY.  THE BALL IS NOW IN THEIR COURT.



                         /// END ACT ///



CHIEF ARMS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER REPORTED LAST WEEK HE HAS 

REASON TO BELIEVE IRAQ IS HIDING BANNED WEAPONS MATERIAL IN THE 

EXCLUDED AREAS.  BAGHDAD DENIES THE ALLEGATION AND SAYS THE SITES

ARE CLOSED FOR NATIONAL SECURITY REASONS.   (SIGNED) 



NEB/RAE



22-Dec-97 2:06 PM EST (1906 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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