DATE=1/12/98

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-225147

TITLE=ANNAN/IRAQ (L ONLY)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL IS URGING IRAQ TO TAKE NO 

ACTION AGAINST WEAPONS INSPECTORS BEFORE CHIEF INSPECTOR RICHARD 

BUTLER ARRIVES NEXT WEEK IN BAGHDAD.  CORRESPONDENT ELAINE 

JOHANSON REPORTS IRAQ CONDEMNED A U-S LED TEAM (MONDAY) AND 

CHARGED ITS AMERICAN LEADER WITH BEING A SPY FOR WASHINGTON.  



TEXT:  IRAQ HAS NOT ACTUALLY THREATENED THE INSPECTORS.  BUT THE 

NEWEST TENSIONS ARE REMINISCENT OF A CRISIS LATE LAST YEAR WHEN 

BAGHDAD TEMPORARILY EXPELLED AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE U-N TEAMS.



RICHARD BUTLER -- WHO HEADS THE SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH 

RIDDING IRAQ OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- IS DUE NEXT MONDAY

IN BAGHDAD.  SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN HAS ADVISED IRAQ AGAINST 

TAKING HASTY ACTION BEFORE MR. BUTLER'S ARRIVAL AND SAYS THE 

INSPECTIONS -- IN THE MEANTIME -- WILL CONTINUE AS PLANNED:



                          //ANNAN ACT//



         I HOPE THE IRAQI AUTHORITIES WILL NOT DO ANYTHING 

         PRECIPITOUS AND WILL WAIT FOR MR. BUTLER TO GET THERE TO

         RAISE WHATEVER ISSUES THEY HAVE WITH HIM.  WE HAVE NOT 

         DECIDED TO HALT ANY INSPECTIONS.  THE TEAMS ARE ON THE 

         GROUND AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR WORK 

         WITH COOPERATION OF THE IRAQIS SINCE NOVEMBER.  THIS IS 

         THE FIRST HIC-COUGH WE HAVE CONFRONTED SINCE THEN.



                           //END ACT//



IRAQ ACCUSES THE UNITED STATES -- AND TO A LESSER EXTENT BRITAIN 

-- OF DOMINATING THE WEAPONS MISSIONS.  IT BELIEVES WASHINGTON IS

TRYING TO DELAY THE LIFTING OF AN ECONOMIC EMBARGO IMPOSED AFTER 

IRAQ'S 1990 INVASION OF KUWAIT.  THE SANCTIONS CANNOT BE LIFTED 

UNTIL THE INSPECTORS CERTIFY IRAQ IS FREE OF THE BANNED WEAPONS.



MR. BUTLER'S TRIP WAS SCHEDULED BEFORE THE NEW TENSIONS.  HE 

HOPES TO PERSUADE IRAQ TO OPEN SENSITIVE SITES IT HAS DECLARED 

OFF-LIMITS TO THE INSPECTORS.  HIS VISIT IS EXPECTED TO BE BRIEF 

-- ABOUT TWO DAYS.   (SIGNED)



NEB/RAE



12-Jan-98 1:24 PM EST (1824 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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