DATE=2/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227178
TITLE=IRAQI U.N. AGREEMENT (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=BAGHDAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN LEFT BAGHDAD, IRAQ, 
AFTER REACHING AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL ALLOW THE RESUMPTION OF 
UNRESTRICTED INSPECTIONS OF SUSPECTED IRAQI WEAPON SITES.  
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM BAGHDAD ABOUT WHAT IS KNOWN
ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THE AGREEMENT.

TEXT:  THE AGREEMENT IS A TWO-PAGE, DOCUMENT PUT TOGETHER 
PRIMARILY BY MR. ANNAN AND MR. AZIZ DURING MORE THAN TWO-DAYS OF 
OFTEN DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS IN BAGHDAD.  THE PRECISE WORDING OF 
THE DOCUMENT IS BEING HELD SECRET UNTIL LATE TUESDAY WHEN IT WILL
BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.

BUT SOURCES CLOSE TO THE TALKS HAVE PROVIDED INFORMATION ON SOME 
OF THE MAIN ISSUES IN THE DOCUMENT.  THEY SAY MOST OF THE WORDING
IS TAKEN FROM EXISTING U-N RESOLUTIONS.  

AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT, IRAQ AGREES TO ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS 
UN-RESTRICTED ACCESS TO SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES.  IT WAS IRAQI 
RESTRICTIONS ON THE INSPECTION TEAMS THAT TRIGGERED THE LATEST 
CRISIS.  

THE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR SOME CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OF THE 
INSPECTION TEAMS, ALLOWING THEM TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 
DIPLOMATS FROM A VARIETY OF COUNTRIES.  THIS IS A RESPONSE TO A 
REQUEST FROM THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.  IRAQ HAS COMPLAINED TEAMS ARE
DOMINATED BY AMERICAN SPIES, A CHARGE THE UNITED STATES DENIES.  

MR. ANNAN SAYS U-N SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ ARE MENTIONED IN THE 
AGREEMENT.  SOURCES INDICATE HE ENSURED IRAQ HE WILL DO HIS BEST 
TO EXPEDITE THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS. 

MR. ANNAN SAYS HE IS CERTAIN THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT MEET THE 
REQUIREMENTS OF ALL SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.  HIS AIDES HAVE 
INDICATED THE ISSUE OF SANCTIONS REMAINS HIGHLY SENSITIVE AND 
COULD UPSET THE APPROVAL PROCESS IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

IF THE AGREEMENT IS APPROVED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL, IT COULD BE
SOME TIME BEFORE TENSION IN THE REGION IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. 
SOME WESTERN DIPLOMATS ARE CONCERNED IRAQ WILL NOT LIVE UP TO 
PROMISES MADE IN THE AGREEMENT.  THEY SAY IT COULD BE WEEKS OR 
MONTHS BEFORE THEY FEEL CONFIDENT IRAQ IS SINCERE ABOUT 
FULFILLING ITS OBLIGATIONS AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/MR/WDC/RAE

23-Feb-98 2:30 PM EST (1930 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.