DATE=2/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227089
TITLE=IRAQ / ANNAN TALKS (S ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=BAGHDAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IN IRAQ, U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS BEGUN TALKS
WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS AIMED AT RESOLVING THE DISPUTE OVER U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM BAGHDAD 
THERE ARE INDICATIONS SOME PROGRESS IS BEING MADE. 

TEXT:  AFTER THREE HOURS OF TALKS WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS, U-N 
SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAID HE IS  NOT  DISCOURAGED.  HE 
HELD A NINETY MINUTE ONE-ON-ONE MEETING WITH IRAQI FOREIGN 
MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ AND LATER JOINED LARGER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN 
THE FULL U-N AND IRAQI DELEGATIONS.

HE DESCRIBED THE TALKS AS CONSTRUCTIVE AND USEFUL.  THERE IS  NO 
SPECIFIC WORD AS TO WHETHER A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN 
REACHED ON THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION ISSUE.

MR. ANNAN HOPES TO LEAVE BAGHDAD MONDAY WITH AN AGREEMENT THAT 
WILL ALLOW THE U-N-MANDATED INSPECTIONS TO CONTINUE, THEREBY 
AVOIDING THE RISK OF A NEW MILITARY CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ.  

NEGOTIATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME ON SUNDAY, ENDING WITH A 
MEETING BETWEEN MR. ANNAN AND IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.  NO
TIME OR VENUE FOR THAT MEETING HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED.  (SIGNED)

NEB/MR/KL

21-Feb-98 9:38 AM EST (1438 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.