DATE=8/5/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236594
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N REACT (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS IS CONSIDERING HOW TO REACT TO IRAQ'S 
DECISION TO SUSPEND COOPERATION WITH UNITED NATIONS ARMS 
INSPECTORS.  RUSSIA'S U-N REPRESENTATIVE SAYS IRAQ IS NOT 
ENTIRELY TO BLAME FOR THE NEW TROUBLES.  U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL 
KOFI ANNAN HAS BEEN HOLDING TALKS ON THE ISSUE WITH HIS TOP 
AIDES.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS 
BUREAU.

TEXT:  IRAQ'S DECISION TO SUSPEND FORMAL COOPERATION WITH U-N 
ARMS INSPECTORS HAS CLEARLY RAISED CONCERN AT THE UNITED NATIONS.
CHIEF ARMS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER RETURNED TO U-N HEADQUARTERS 
WEDNESDAY AND IMMEDIATELY BRIEFED SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN ON
HIS LATEST TALKS IN BAGHDAD, WHICH TRIGGERED THE IRAQI 
SUSPENSION.

MR. BUTLER STOPPED SHORT OF DESCRIBING THE PROBLEMS WITH IRAQ AS 
A CRISIS.  HE SAID IRAQ IS SHOWING, WHAT HE CALLED, "SYNDROME 
LIKE BEHAVIOR ... GOING AROUND THE SAME TRACK AGAIN."  HE SAID IT
IS UP TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO NEXT.

IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID, HIS INSPECTORS WILL CONTINUE THEIR WORK
IN BAGHDAD.  IRAQI DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS AGREE, SAYING 
THE SUSPENSION OF FORMAL COOPERATION WILL HAVE AN IMPACT MAINLY 
ON TECHNICAL MEETINGS, NOT ROUTINE INSPECTIONS.

MR. BUTLER -- HEAD OF THE UNSCOM INSPECTION TEAM -- WILL BRIEF 
THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY.  THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS 
POSTPONED A PLANNED TRIP TO PORTUGAL TO TAKE PART IN THAT 
BRIEFING.

THE COUNCIL MET ON OTHER MATTERS ON WEDNESDAY, AFTER WHICH 
RUSSIA'S ACTING AMBASSADOR, YURIY FEDOTOV, SAID HE BELIEVES IRAQ 
IS NOT ENTIRELY TO BLAME FOR THE LATEST TROUBLES.

                       /// FEDOTOV ACT ///

         WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN BAGHDAD BUT 
         WE ARE STRONGLY CONVINCED THAT IRAQ IS NOT THE ONLY ONE 
         TO BLAME FOR THIS SITUATION WHEN A DECISION HAS BEEN 
         TAKEN TO BREAK DISCUSSION, BREAK DIALOGUE.  THE DECISION
         AS WE UNDERSTAND WAS TAKEN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF UNSCOM 
         WITHOUT DULY CONSULTING THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE 
         SECURITY COUNCIL.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. FEDOTOV SAID THERE HAVE BEEN NO REAL POSITIVE MOVES FROM THE 
UNITED NATIONS TO RECOGNIZE WHAT HE CALLED IRAQ'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN
COOPERATING WITH THE INSPECTION TEAM.  IN AN APPARENT REFERENCE 
TO THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN, THE RUSSIAN DIPLOMAT SAID 
POLITICAL MOTIVES SEEM TO BE BEHIND THE RELUCTANCE OF SOME 
COUNTRIES TO GIVE IRAQ CREDIT FOR PROGRESS MADE SO FAR.

                      /// REST OPTIONAL ///

THE LATEST TALKS IN BAGHDAD BROKE DOWN WHEN MR. BUTLER SAID MORE 
TIME IS NEEDED TO VERIFY IRAQ'S CLAIMS TO HAVE DESTROYED ITS 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- PARTICULARLY IT MISSILES AND 
CHEMICAL WEAPONS.  IRAQ DENOUNCED THE STATEMENT AS AN EFFORT BY 
UNSCOM TO UNFAIRLY EXTEND THE INSPECTION PROCESS AND CUT OFF THE 
TALKS.

IRAQ IS DEMANDING THE INSPECTIONS BE CONCLUDED IMMEDIATELY.  IT 
CLAIMS TO HAVE MET ALL U-N REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE 
INSPECTIONS.  MR. BUTLER SAYS THE VERIFICATION PROCESS IS NOT YET
COMPLETE.  SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY THE VERIFICATION 
PROCESS MUST BE FINISHED BEFORE SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF 
WAR CAN BE LIFTED.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

05-Aug-98 6:53 PM EDT (2253 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.