DATE=8/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236436
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE LATEST ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN IRAQ AND U-N WEAPONS  
INSPECTORS BEGAN TODAY (MONDAY) IN BAGHDAD.  HOWEVER, V-O-A 
MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS IRAQI OFFICIALS ARE 
EXPRESSING PESSIMISM OVER THE OUTCOME.

TEXT:  IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ TOLD REPORTERS 
MONDAY HE DOES  NOT  EXPECT HIS MEETINGS WITH THE U-N INSPECTORS 
TO BE FRUITFUL.  HE MADE THE REMARKS AFTER MEETING THE HEAD OF 
THE U-N TEAM, RICHARD BUTLER.

MISTER AZIZ SAID THE U-N TEAM IS RETURNING TO WHAT HE CALLED ITS 
OLD GAMES AND TRICKS. AND HE ACCUSED IT OF SEIZING ON MINOR 
ISSUES WHICH HE SAID DO  NOT MAKE SENSE FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF
DISARMAMENT.  IRAQ HAS ACCUSED THE U-N INSPECTIONS TEAM OF 
PROLONGING ITS WORK IN ORDER TO SERVE U-S POLICY WHICH IT SAYS  
IS AIMED AT MAINTAINING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ 
INDEFINITELY.

MISTER BUTLER COMMENTED ON THE TALKS SAYING THAT HIS AIM IN 
VISITING IRAQ IS TO COMPLETE THE DISARMAMENT PHASE, IN ORDER TO 
ALLOW THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER LIFTING THE SANCTIONS.

THE UNITED NATIONS IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON IRAQ AFTER ITS INVASION 
OF KUWAIT EIGHT YEARS AGO AND SAYS THE SANCTIONS WILL BE 
MAINTAINED UNTIL IRAQ ELIMINATES ALL ITS WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION. 

A CONFRONTATION EARLY THIS YEAR LED TO A MILITARY BUILD-UP IN THE
GULF REGION.  BUT THE CRISIS WAS DEFUSED AND, DURING TALKS SIX 
WEEKS AGO, THE TWO SIDES AGREED TO A BLUEPRINT FOR DISARMAMENT.

SINCE THEN, U-N INSPECTORS HAVE UNCOVERED TRACES OF A DEADLY 
NERVE GAS IN AN DISMANTLED IRAQI WARHEAD, LEADING TO ACCUSATIONS 
THAT THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT HAS  NOT  COOPERATED FULLY WITH THE 
INSPECTIONS.

THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT HAS DENIED THE CHARGE, SAYING ALL ITS 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION WERE ELIMINATED FOLLOWING THE GULF 
WAR.  AND HAS THREATENED TO TAKE UNSPECIFIED ACTION IF THE 
SANCTIONS ARE  NOT  ENDED SOON.

THE IRAQI PARLIAMENT WAS DUE TO MEET MONDAY TO DISCUSS THE 
INSPECTIONS AND THE SANCTIONS ISSUE, BUT POSTPONED ITS SESSION 
UNTIL THURSDAY, AFTER THE U-N TEAM IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/SB/JWH

03-Aug-98 11:18 AM EDT (1518 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.