DATE=8/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236492
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TODAY (TUESDAY) 
DESCRIBED THE LATEST ARMS INSPECTION TROUBLES WITH IRAQ AS A 
"HICCUP," SAYING HE HOPES TALKS ON THE ISSUE WILL RESUME SOON.  
V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT:  MR. ANNAN SAYS HE SPOKE BRIEFLY ON THE TELEPHONE WITH U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER ABOUT THE BREAKDOWN IN 
INSPECTIONS TALKS IN BAGHDAD.  MR. BUTLER CUT SHORT HIS VISIT TO 
IRAQ ON TUESDAY WHEN  NO  PROGRESS WAS MADE IN TALKS ABOUT THE 
DESTRUCTION OF IRAQ'S MISSILES AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS.

MR. ANNAN SAYS HE HOPES THE LATEST PROBLEM WILL BE OVERCOME SOON.

                        /// ANNAN ACT ///

         I WOULD HOPE THAT WHEN MR. BUTLER COMES BACK, WE WILL BE
         ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR WORK AND THAT THIS MAY BE A MAJOR 
         HICCUP THAT WE CAN OVERCOME, I HOPE.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. BUTLER IS EXPECTED TO RETURN WEDNESDAY TO U-N HEADQUARTERS IN
NEW YORK, WHERE HE WILL BRIEF MR. ANNAN AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL 
ON HIS MEETINGS IN BAGHDAD.

IN THOSE MEETINGS, MR. BUTLER PROPOSED TO EXTEND HIS WORK ON 
MISSILE AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS.  THAT PROPOSAL WAS REJECTED BY 
IRAQ.

IRAQ SAYS IT HAS MET ALL ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE WEAPONS 
INSPECTIONS AND THAT FURTHER INSPECTIONS ARE UNFAIR.  IT SAY THEY
ARE BEING USED AS AN EXCUSE BY THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN TO 
MAINTAIN SANCTIONS AGAINST BAGHDAD AND PUNISH THE IRAQI PEOPLE.

U-N RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR CANNOT 
BE LIFTED UNTIL INSPECTORS VERIFY THAT IRAQ HAS DESTROYED ALL ITS
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  INSPECTORS SAY SOME PROGRESS HAS 
BEEN MADE BUT MUCH MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED, PARTICULARLY IN 
THE AREA OF MISSILES AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS, BEFORE THEY CAN 
COMPLETE THEIR WORK.  (SIGNED)

NEB.UN/MPR/LSF

04-Aug-98 10:48 AM EDT (1448 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.