DATE=6/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233851
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N SATURDAY (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
 
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS' CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR HAS HELD A 
FIRST ROUND OF TALKS WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS IN IRAQ.  THE U-N 
OFFICIAL IS PRESENTING A LIST OF STEPS IRAQ MUST TAKE IN ORDER TO
BRING ABOUT AN EVENTUAL END TO ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.  CORRESPONDENT
SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN CAIRO THAT 
THERE IS WORRY THAT IRAQI REMARKS PRIOR TO THE VISIT MIGHT SIGNAL
ANOTHER STANDOFF, BUT U-N OFFICIALS ARE EXPRESSING CAUTIOUS 
OPTIMISM.
 
TEXT: CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER SATURDAY TOLD 
REPORTERS IN BAGHDAD HE IS FEELING POSITIVE ABOUT THIS ROUND OF 
MEETINGS.  HE HELD INITIAL TALKS WITH IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
TARIQ AZIZ, BUT LITTLE WAS SAID PUBLICLY.
 
MR. BUTLER, UPON ARRIVING THURSDAY IN THE IRAQI CAPITAL, SAID HE 
BROUGHT A "ROADMAP" THAT OUTLINES WHAT THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT MUST 
DO TO PROVE TO U-N OFFICIALS THAT IT HAS DISMANTLED ITS WEAPONS 
OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
 
IRAQ SAYS IT HAS DESTROYED ITS CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS 
AND AS A RESULT HAS NOTHING ELSE TO SHOW.  THE IRAQI NEWS MEDIA 
HAS ACCUSED THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION OF PROLONGING THE 
INSPECTIONS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THAT HAVE
SEVERELY HURT THE IRAQI ECONOMY.  AS A RESULT, DIPLOMATS 
EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF A STANDOFF SIMILAR TO 
ONE EARLIER THIS YEAR WHICH NEARLY BROUGHT U-S AIR STRIKES 
AGAINST IRAQ.
 
THE U-N SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO IRAQ, PRAKASH SHAH, SAID PRIOR 
TO SATURDAY'S TALKS THAT IRAQI OFFICIALS HAVE TOLD HIM THE U-N 
"ROADMAP" DOES NOT SEEM TO CONTAIN ANYTHING NEW, BUT THAT THEY 
ARE PREPARED TO LISTEN AND SEE WHAT IS NEEDED TO GO FORWARD.
 
///REST OPT///

MR. BUTLER SAYS THE LIST CONTAINED IN HIS ROADMAP IS NOT 
EXTENSIVE AND HIS CONCERNS COULD BE SATISFIED IN A MATTER OF 
MONTHS -- IF THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT COOPERATES.  IRAQ MAINTAINS IT 
HAS ALREADY COMPLIED WITH ALL U-N DEMANDS AND IS CALLING ON THE 
WORLD BODY TO LIFT THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.
 
DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS NOTE THE UNITED NATIONS IS UNDER INCREASING 
PRESSURE TO EASE THE SANCTIONS ON IRAQ. SOME MEMBER STATES ARE 
OPENLY CALLING FOR AN END TO THE MEASURES, WHILE OTHERS ARE 
CALLING PRIVATELY FOR A GRADUAL EASING TO ENCOURAGE IRAQI 
COOPERATION.
 
MANY GOVERNMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST SAY THE SANCTIONS SHOULD BE 
LIFTED BECAUSE THEY ARE CAUSING SEVERE HARDSHIP ON THE IRAQI 
PEOPLE AND HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED IN SPARKING A POPULAR UPRISING 
AGAINST THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT, WHICH MANY BELIEVE WAS THEIR REAL 
PURPOSE. (SIGNED)
 
NEB/SB/JO

13-Jun-98 11:16 AM EDT (1516 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.