DATE=2/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227193
TITLE=IRAQ/ WEAPONS L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=U-N
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: A TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL EXPERTS SAY IRAQ MAY NOW
HAVE THE CAPABILTY TO PRODUCE TONS OF A DEADLY NERVE GAS.  
V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED 
NATIONS.

TEXT:  THE 15 CHEMICAL WARFARE EXPERTS SAY IRAQ HAS THE 
KNOWLEDGE, EQUIPMENT -- AND POSSIBLY THE CHEMCIALS -- TO MAKE AS 
MUCH AS 200 METRIC TONS OF THE NERVE GAS V-X.  THE TEAM OF 
EXPERTS FROM NINE COUNTRIES SAYS IRAQ WAS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
V-X -- ALTHOUGH IN SMALLER QUANTITIES -- BEFORE THE JANUARY 1991 
GULF WAR BEGAN. 

AND A SECOND TEAM OF EXPERTS SAYS MORE INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED TO
ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF IRAQ'S OUTLAWED MISSILE WARHEADS. 

THE TWO TEAMS MADE THEIR REPORTS FOLLOWING SO-CALLED "TECHNICAL 
EVALUATION MEETINGS" IN EARLY FEBRUARY. THE MEETINGS INCLUDED 
MEMBERS OF THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION (UNSCOM) IN CHARGE OF 
DESTROYING IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND AN IRAQI 
DELEGATION.  

BAGHDAD REPORTEDLY HAD EXPECTED THE TECHNICAL EVALUATION MEETINGS
TO BRING AN END TO U-N INVESTIGATIONS OF ITS CHEMICAL WEAPONS 
PROGRAM AND A SUBSEQUENT EASING OF U-N ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST
IRAQ. BUT THE CHEMICAL WARFARE EXPERTS CONCLUDED THAT SUCH AN 
ACTION WOULD BE "PREMATURE."  .

THE UNITED NATIONS CHIEF ARMS INSPECTOR FOR IRAQ, RICHARD BUTLER,
BRIEFED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE TWO REPORTS  TODAY 
(MONDAY). BUT MR. BUTLER AND MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL 
REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DISCUSSION. (SIGNED)



NEB/UN/BJS/PT

23-Feb-98 6:47 PM EST (2347 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.