DATE=2/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227135
TITLE=IRAQ INSPECTIONS AGREEMENT (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=BAGHDAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQ AGREED SUNDAY TO ALLOW THE RESUMPTION OF 
UNRESTRICTED U-N INSPECTIONS OF ITS WEAPONS SITES IN AN APPARENT 
EFFORT TO REDUCE THE THREAT OF RENEWED MILITARY STRIKES FROM THE 
UNITED STATES.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE IRAQI 
CAPITAL, BAGHDAD.

TEXT:  THE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED AFTER TWO DAYS OF OFTEN 
DIFFICULT TALKS BETWEEN IRAQI LEADERS AND U-N SECRETARY GENERAL 
KOFI ANNAN.  IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN PERSONALLY REMOVED 
THE LAST AND LARGEST OBSTACLE TO THE AGREEMENT AND RUSSIA IS 
BELIEVED TO HAVE PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN CONVINCING HIM TO DO 
SO.  IF THE AGREEMENT IS IMPROVED BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IT 
IS EXPECTED TO VIRTUALLY ELIMINATE THE THREAT OF RENEWED U-S 
MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.

IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ IS SCHEDULED TO SIGN THE 
AGREEMENT ON MONDAY SHORTLY BEFORE MR. ANNAN ENDS HIS FOUR DAY 
VISIT TO BAGHDAD AND RETURNS TO NEW YORK.

UNDER THE AGREEMENT. IRAQ PLEDGES TO ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS 
UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO ITS WEAPONS SITES.  IT PROMISED TO DO SO 
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GULF WAR BUT RECENTLY DECLARED SOME SITES 
OFF LIMITS TO THE INSPECTORS RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE 
PRODUCTION OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.

MR. ANNAN IS BELIEVED TO HAVE AGREED TO EXPAND THAT A SPECIAL 
INSPECTION TEAM TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES OTHER 
THAN THE UNITED STATES.  IRAQ HAS CHARGED THAT THE ORIGINAL TEAM 
WAS STAFFED BY U-S SPIES - A CHARGE WASHINGTON DENIES.  THE CORE 
MEMBERS OF THE TEAM ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN THE SAME BUT DIPLOMATS
FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WILL ACCOMPANY THEM DURING THEIR INSPECTION.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY FULL DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT WILL BE RELEASED 
ONLY AFTER MR. ANNAN BRIEFS THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON TUESDAY.

MR. ANNAN HAS BEEN IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL DURING HIS 
FOUR-DAY VISIT TO IRAQ.  THE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY 
COUNCIL ARE CHINA, THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE, RUSSIA AND BRITAIN.
MR. ANNAN SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT THEY WILL ALL ACCEPT THE 
AGREEMENT.

SOURCES SAY RUSSIA PLAYED A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN 
CONVINCING THE IRAQI PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT UNRESTRICTED WEAPONS 
INSPECTIONS MR. ANNAN TELEPHONED THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER  
EARLY SUNDAY AND ASKED HIM TO URGE IRAQ TO ACCEPT UNRESTRICTED 
INSPECTIONS.  THEY SAY RUSSIA AGREED TO THE U-N REQUEST FOR 
ASSISTANCE.

MR. ANNAN SAYS HE IS PLEASED WITH THE AGREEMENT.  HE SAYS HE 
FEELS IT FULFILLS THE TWO PRINCIPLE OBJECTIVES HE HAD IN 
TRAVELING TO BAGHDAD - TO ENSURE RESPECT FOR UNITED NATIONS 
RESOLUTIONS GOVERNING INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ AND THE PRESERVATION OF
THE INTEGRITY OF THE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS PROCESS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/MR/ENE-T/SD

22-Feb-98 6:46 PM EST (2346 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.