DATE=8/5/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236560
TITLE=IRAQ - U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQ'S PARLIAMENT HAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUSPEND 
COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WHO ARE OVERSEEING IRAQ'S
DISARMAMENT PROGRAM. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR 
MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN CAIRO THAT THE VOTE FOLLOWS TUESDAY'S 
COLLAPSE OF TALKS BETWEEN U-N CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD 
BUTLER AND IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ.

TEXT:  IRAQ'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PASSED THE RESOLUTION UNANIMOUSLY
WEDNESDAY AFTER SIX HOURS OF DEBATE.  IT CALLS FOR PRESIDENT 
SADDAM HUSSEIN TO IMPLEMENT A RESOLUTION PASSED LAST NOVEMBER 
ENDING COLLABORATION WITH U-N INSPECTORS UNTIL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
AGAINST IRAQ ARE LIFTED.

IRAQI OFFICIALS NOTED, HOWEVER, THE RESOLUTION IS A 
RECOMMENDATION WHICH MUST BE APPROVED BY THE RULING REVOLUTIONARY
COMMAND COUNCIL.

REPORTERS IN BAGHDAD SAID U-N INSPECTORS BASED IN IRAQ WEDNESDAY 
CONTINUED THEIR WORK AS USUAL.

RELATIONS BETWEEN THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT AND THE U-N INSPECTORS 
TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORSE TUESDAY WHEN TALKS BETWEEN THE CHIEF 
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR AND THE IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ENDED 
AFTER ONLY ONE MEETING. MR. BUTLER LEFT IRAQ A DAY EARLY.

MR. BUTLER LATER TOLD REPORTERS IRAQI OFFICIALS DEMANDED HIS TEAM
CERTIFY IRAQ HAS ELIMINATED ALL ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION 
-- WHICH IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS WILL  CONSIDER 
LIFTING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. MR. BUTLER SAID HE DID  NOT  HAVE THE
EVIDENCE HE NEEDED TO DO SO, AND THE TALKS BROKE OFF.

                        ///REST OPT///  

HE SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE IRAQI POSITION, BECAUSE HE 
WAS TO PRESENT A PROGRAM TO ACCELERATE INSPECTIONS AND SAID, WITH
IRAQI COOPERATION, IT COULD HAVE LED TO AN END OF THE DISARMAMENT
INSPECTIONS BY SEPTEMBER.  IRAQI OFFICIALS ACCUSED THE U-N TEAM 
OF SEIZING ON MINOR DETAILS IN ORDER TO DELAY THE INSPECTIONS 
PROGRAM AND PROLONG THE SANCTIONS INDEFINITELY.

MR. BUTLER EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE DIRECTION RELATIONS WITH 
IRAQ HAVE TAKEN, BUT SAYS HE WOULD  NOT  CALL THE CURRENT 
SITUATION A "CRISIS."  ON THURSDAY, HE IS DUE TO BRIEF THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL ON HIS TRIP.  (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/PCF/JO

05-Aug-98 11:25 AM EDT (1525 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.