DATE=8/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236515
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS' CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR, RICHARD 
BUTLER, IS ON HIS WAY BACK TO THE UNITED NATIONS TO REPORT ON THE
COLLAPSE OF TALKS IN BAGHDAD AIMED AT SPEEDING UP THE INSPECTIONS
SO THAT SANCTIONS COULD BE LIFTED.  MR. BUTLER TOLD REPORTERS 
IRAQ DEMANDED THAT HE DECLARE IT WAS ALREADY IN COMPLIANCE.  AT 
THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN CALLED THE IRAQI 
DECISION DISTURBING VOA'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE.

TEXT:  THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN BEGAN BY QUOTING MR. BUTLER
AS SAYING IF THE INSPECTION PROGRAM HAD CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER 
FOUR OR FIVE WEEKS WITH FULL IRAQI COOPERATION, HE COULD HAVE 
REPORTED TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL THAT THE CHEMICAL AND 
MISSILE WEAPONS INVESTIGATION BY UNSCOM -- THE U-N SPECIAL 
COMMISSION ON IRAQ  -- WAS CONCLUDED -- THUS MOVING THE LIFTING 
OF SANCTIONS CLOSER.

                        /// RUBIN ACT ///

         IN SHORT, IT IS INEXPLICABLE FOR IRAQ TO BREAK OFF TALKS
         THAT WERE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO ACCLERATE THE LIFTING
         OF SANCTIONS.  IRAQ  IS ONLY HARMING ITSELF AND ITS 
         PEOPLE, SINCE THIS ACTION ONLY PUTS OFF THE DAY WHEN 
         UNSCOM WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO VERIFY THAT IRAQ HAD 
         FINALLY COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITY 
         COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.

                         /// END ACT ///

IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ ACCUSED MR. BUTLER OF 
TRYING TO PROLONG THE SANCTIONS BY FOCUSSING ON WHAT HE DESCRIBED
AS "MINOR ISSUES."

HERE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, MR. RUBIN SAID THE UNITED STATES 
WILL WAIT FOR MR. BUTLER'S REPORT ON THE COLLAPSE OF THE TALKS. 

HE SAID IRAQ'S DECISION TO END THE TALKS WITH AMBASSADOR BUTLER 
WOULD UNDERCUT THE EFFORTS OF THOSE IN THE U-N WHO WANT TO LIFT 
SANCTIONS EARLIER.

                        /// RUBIN ACT ///

         EVEN THOSE WHO HAD A MORE FORWARD LEANING POSITION IN 
         TERMS OF LOOKING AT AN EARLIER HOPED-FOR DATE FOR 
         LIFTING THE SANCTIONS WILL ONLY BE UNDERCUT BY IRAQ'S 
         REFUSAL TO EVEN DEAL WITH THE WORK PLAN THAT THEY 
         WANTED, THAT AMBASSADOR BUTLER PUT TOGETHER, AND SO THEY
         HAVE SET THEMSELVES BACK AGAIN.

                         /// END ACT ///

MEANWHILE, MR. RUBIN SAID, IRAQ STILL HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF  
FULLY DISCLOSING ITS WEAPONS PROGRAMS AND COOPERATING WITH THE 
U-N INSPECTORS. (SIGNED)

NEB/MGB/KL

04-Aug-98 3:33 PM EDT (1933 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.