DATE=8/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236498
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  UNITED NATIONS CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER HAS
CUT SHORT HIS VISIT TO IRAQ AND FLOWN TO BAHRAIN, ON HIS WAY TO 
U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.  VOA'S SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR 
MIDDLE EAST BUREAU THAT THE U-N OFFICIAL LEFT BAGHDAD A DAY EARLY
BECAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE OF TALKS OVER IRAQ'S DISARMAMENT PROGRAM.

TEXT:  MR. BUTLER TOLD REPORTERS UPON ARRIVING IN BAHRAIN THAT 
HIS TALKS WITH IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ FAILED 
BECAUSE OF IRAQI DEMANDS THAT U-N INSPECTORS REPORT IRAQ HAS 
COMPLIED WITH U-N DEMANDS TO ELIMINATE ALL ITS WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION. MR. BUTLER SAID HE REPLIED HE DID  NOT  HAVE ENOUGH 
EVIDENCE TO DO SO AND, AS A RESULT, THE TALKS WERE ENDED.

THE U-N OFFICIAL SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT IRAQI OFFICIALS 
DID NOT ACCEPT HIS PROGRAM, SAYING IT WAS AIMED AT ACCELERATING 
THE INSPECTIONS AND BRINGING A FAVORABLE REPORT FROM HIS TEAM BY 
NEXT MONTH. 

MR. BUTLER SAID HE WOULD BRIEF U-N OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK 
THURSDAY.

                    /// BUTLER  ACTUALITY ///

         THERE WAS  NO  MOVEMENT, AND SO THE WISEST AND MOST 
         CONSTRUCTIVE THING FOR ME TO DO IS TO TAKE THIS BACK TO 
         THOSE WHO REALLY RUN THE SHOW -- NAMELY THE SECURITY 
         COUNCIL -- AND SEE WHERE WE GO FROM THERE.

                         /// END ACT ///

IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED 
IN HIS MEETING WITH MR. BUTLER AND ACCUSED THE U-N INSPECTORS OF 
SEIZING ON MINOR DETAILS IN ORDER TO PROLONG THE INSPECTIONS. 
IRAQI OFFICIALS HAVE ACCUSED THE U-N TEAM OF SEEKING TO CARRY OUT
WHAT THEY SAY IS THE U-S POLICY OF MAINTAINING THE ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS IN ORDER TO TOPPLE THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.

///REST OPT///  IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN LAST MONTH SAID 
THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS SHOULD BE LIFTED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. 
OTHERWISE, HE SAID IRAQ WOULD TAKE DRASTIC ACTION. THE IRAQI 
PARLIAMENT IS DUE TO MEET IN SPECIAL SESSION THIS WEEK IN ORDER 
TO DISCUSS THE LATEST U-N VISIT.

ANALYSTS NOTE THAT INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR MAINTAINING THE  
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS IS WEAKENING AND THE MILITARY BUILDUP NEEDED 
TO ENFORCE THE BAN WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO REESTABLISH. AS A 
RESULT, IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY SOME COUNTRIES MIGHT BEGIN 
CIRCUMVENTING THE SANCTIONS, CITING HUMANITARIAN CONCERN FOR THE 
SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/PCF

04-Aug-98 11:37 AM EDT (1537 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.