DATE=4/17/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-229828 TITLE=U-N / IRAQ WEAPONS (L) BYLINE=MAX RUSTON DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IRAQ'S PUSH TO HAVE INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS LIFTED HAS SUFFERED ANOTHER SETBACK TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH THE RELEASE OF A REPORT CRITICAL OF ITS DEALINGS WITH U-N ARMS INSPECTORS. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS. TEXT: CHIEF U-N ARMS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER SAYS IN A REPORT THAT IRAQ HAS MADE VIRTUALLY NO PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING REQUIREMENTS IT MUST FULFILL BEFORE SANCTIONS CAN BE LIFTED. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL REQUIRES VERIFICATION THAT IRAQ HAS DESTROYED ALL BALLISTIC, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS. THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE VERIFICATION PROCESS IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN THE CONTINUATION OF SANCTIONS, IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR, FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER SIX MONTH. IN THE REPORT TO U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN, MR. BUTLER SAYS THE PAST SIX MONTHS SAW INTENSE ACTIVITY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION ON WEAPONS INSPECTIONS, UNSCOM. HE SAYS DURING THAT PERIOD IRAQ FAILED TO COMPLY WITH SECURITY COUNCIL REQUIREMENTS THAT IT ALLOW UNSCOM UNCONDITIONAL AND UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO RELEVANT SITES, DOCUMENTS AND PERSONS. HE SAYS IRAQ SPENT TOO MUCH TIME TALKING ABOUT PROCESS AND PROCEDURES AND NOT ENOUGH ON ISSUES RELATED TO THE DESTRUCTION OF PROHIBITED WEAPONS. THE PERIOD COVERED INCLUDES THE MOST RECENT CRISIS INVOLVING IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW INSPECTORS INTO EIGHT SO-CALLED PRESIDENTIAL SITES. THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL REACHED AGREEMENT WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN IN MARCH FOR THE OPENING OF THOSE SITES. BUT MR. BUTLER SAYS THE CRISIS RESULTED IN A FOUR-MONTH PERIOD WITH NO PROGRESS TOWARDS VERIFICATION. RELEASE OF THE REPORT COMES AMID NEW CALLS FROM IRAQ FOR SANCTIONS TO BE LIFTED. ON THURSDAY, IRAQ SAID A NEW CRISIS COULD DEVELOP IF IMMEDIATE PROGRESS IN THAT DIRECTION IS NOT MADE. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO 17-Apr-98 11:47 AM EDT (1547 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .