DATE=1/13/98

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-225179

TITLE=COHEN / IRAQ INSPECTORS (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=JAKARTA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE TOP U-S DEFENSE OFFICIAL HAS CONDEMNED IRAQ'S 

DECISION TO BLOCK WEAPONS INSPECTIONS BY A U-N TEAM.  DEFENSE 

SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS SEEKING STRONG 

MEASURES FROM THE UNITED NATIONS TO FORCE IRAQ TO FULLY OPEN ITS 

FACILITIES TO OUTSIDE EXPERTS.  CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE IS 

TRAVELING WITH MR. COHEN IN ASIA.



TEXT:  BAGHDAD IS BLOCKING EFFORTS BY ONE TEAM OF U-N WEAPONS 

INSPECTORS IN IRAQ, COMPLAINING THERE ARE TOO MANY AMERICAN 

EXPERTS IN THE GROUP.  BAGHDAD ALSO ACCUSES ONE TEAM MEMBER OF 

BEING A SPY.  



DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE MAN IN QUESTION, SCOTT 

RITTER, IS A WEAPONS EXPERT, NOT A SPY.  IN AN INTERVIEW AT THE 

U-S EMBASSY IN KUALA LUMPUR, MR. COHEN SAID IT WOULD BE ABSURD TO

ALLOW IRAQ TO DICTATE WHO COULD BE ON THE TEAM OF WEAPONS 

INSPECTORS.



                     /// COHEN ACTUALITY ///



         WE CANNOT HAVE THE PAROLEE DICTATING WHO THE PAROLE 

         OFFICER 'S GOING TO BE.  IN THIS  PARTICULAR CASE WE 

         HAVE U-N INSPECTORS.  THEY WERE NOT PICKED BY VIRTUE OF 

         THEIR OWN COUNTRIES, BUT BY VIRTUE OF THEIR EXPERTISE 

         AND EXPERIENCE, AND IT IS REALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR SADDAM

         HUSSEIN TO DECLARE WHO IS ACCEPTABLE AND WHO IS NOT.  

         AND SO WE HOPE TO PROCEED WITH THIS, WITH THE UNITED 

         NATIONS.



                      /// END ACTUALITY ///



THERE ARE NEARLY 30-THOUSAND U-N MILITARY PERSONNEL IN OR NEAR 

THE PERSIAN GULF, ALONG WITH DOZENS OF SHIPS AND HUNDREDS OF 

COMBAT AIRCRAFT.  



A DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS IRAQ MUST COMPLY WITH U-N 

RESOLUTIONS BANNING NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL, AND GERM WEAPONS.  HE SAID

THE UNITED STATES WILL HELP THE UNITED NATIONS WIN COMPLIANCE 

WITH THOSE RESOLUTIONS.



MR. COHEN SAYS THE U-S FORCES IN THE REGION ARE SUFFICIENT TO 

ENFORCE THE U-N MANDATES.



BAGHDAD AGREED TO THE RESOLUTIONS AFTER LOSING THE GULF WAR.  THE

MANDATE REQUIRES IRAQ TO ALLOW TEAMS OF EXPERTS TO SEARCH 

ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  

INSPECTORS AND OTHER FOREIGN EXPERTS SAY THEY THINK IRAQ IS STILL

HIDING EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND TECHNOLOGY ENABLING IT TO 

PRODUCE SUCH WEAPONS. 



MR. COHEN SPOKE IN KUALA LUMPUR, HE IS IN INDONESIA AS PART OF A 

SEVEN-NATION TOUR DESIGNED TO DISCUSS SECURITY AND ECONOMIC 

CONCERNS IN ASIA.   (SIGNED)



NEB/RAE



13-Jan-98 7:36 AM EST (1236 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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