DATE=7/29/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236240
TITLE=IRAQ / NUKE REPORT (L-O)
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT WILL  NOT  SUPPORT A PROPOSED 
U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION STATING THAT IRAQ HAS DESTROYED 
ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS.  CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS 
FROM THE UNITED NATIONS. 

TEXT:  THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION -- SPONSORED BY RUSSIA -- IS BASED
ON AN INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY REPORT -- ISSUED EARLIER
THIS WEEK -- WHICH SAYS THERE IS  NO  EVIDENCE IRAQ HAS ANY 
NUCLEAR CAPABILITY. 

BUT THE AGENCY -- CHARGED WITH DESTROYING IRAQ'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS 
-- ALSO WARNS THAT IRAQ HAS THE INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY TO 
REACTIVATE ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM IN THE FUTURE.  AND THE I-A-E-A 
REPORT REFERS REPEATEDLY TO IRAQ'S LACK OF COOPERATION THROUGHOUT
THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  

NOW, RUSSIA, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, 
WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE I-A-E-A'S INTRUSIVE INSPECTIONS OF IRAQ'S 
NUCLEAR CAPACITY IN FAVOR OF LONG-TERM TERM MONITORING AND 
VERIFICATION.

IF THE SECURITY COUNCIL TOOK SUCH AN ACTION IT WOULD BE A FIRST 
STEP TOWARD LIFTING U-N SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.  THE U-N SPECIAL 
COMMISSION RESPONSIBLE FOR DISARMING IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL AND 
CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND BALLISTIC MISSILES MUST ALSO AGREE THAT IRAQ
HAS MET ITS STANDARDS BEFORE THE REMOVAL OF SANCTIONS CAN BE 
DISCUSSED.

U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAYS THERE 
IS  NO  POINT IN DISCUSSING THE REMOVAL OF SANCTIONS BECAUSE IRAQ
HAS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COOPERATE WITH U-N TEAMS INSPECTING 
IRAQ'S ARSENAL OF WEAPONS.

                     /// RICHARDSON ACT /// 

         THERE IS ABSOLUTELY  NO  REASON BASED ON THE I-A-E-A'S 
         REPORT FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO TAKE ANY ACTION 
         FAVORABLE TO IRAQ. THE I-A-E-A REPORT MAKES IT 
         ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT IRAQ HAS MADE NO PROGRESS, THAT IT
         HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON WEAPONS DESIGN, ON 
         URANIUM ENRICHMENT. ACCORDINGLY, THERE IS NO REASON TO 
         CLOSE THE NUCLEAR FILE.

                         /// END ACT ///

IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS NIZAR HAMDOON (NEE ZAIR 
HAM DUNE) SAYS IT IS TIME FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO CLOSE THE 
NUCLEAR FILE AND BEGIN CONSIDERATION OF LIFTING THE SANCTIONS, 
DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM THE BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.

                       /// HAMDOON ACT ///

         THE I-A-E-A ADMITTED IN PAST REPORTS AND IN TODAY'S 
         REPORT THAT THERE ARE NO PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ 
         AND THEY HAVE DETECTED NO SUCH PROHIBITED ITEMS AND 
         ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE COUNTRY.  IT IS AS SIMPLE AS 
         SAYING THAT THE WHOLE DISARMAMENT AREA IS CLOSED.  THE 
         WHOLE FILE SHOULD BE MOVING INTO THE MONITORING PHASE.

                         /// END ACT ///


MR. HAMDOON SAYS THE TONE OF THE CURRENT REPORT IS LESS POSITIVE 
THAN EARLIER I-A-E-A REPORTS BECAUSE THE AGENCY HAS BEEN UNDER 
PRESSURE FROM THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION AND ITS HEAD,
RICHARD BUTLER. 

MR. BUTLER IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT BAGHDAD NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS  
PROGRESS BEING MADE BY U-N INSPECTORS. (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/ 





29-Jul-98 4:00 PM EDT (2000 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.