DATE=8/5/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236584
TITLE=IRAQ - U-N UPDATE (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: IRAQ HAS SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH U-N INSPECTORS WHO 
WERE OVERSEEING THE ELIMINATION OF IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION. THE FREEZE WAS ANNOUNCED LATE WEDNESDAY FOLLOWING A 
MEETING OF THE COUNTRY'S RULING REVOLUTIONARY COMMAND COUNCIL. 
CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN 
CAIRO.

TEXT:  IRAQ SAYS IT WILL NO LONGER ALLOW INSPECTIONS BY U-N TEAMS
UNTIL NEW U-N INSPECTION OFFICIALS ARE APPOINTED AND THEIR 
HEADQUARTERS IS MOVED FROM NEW YORK TO VIENNA OR GENEVA.

IRAQ SAYS ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF WEAPONS SITES WILL BE ALLOWED 
TO CONTINUE AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE, BUT THAT ALL OTHER 
COOPERATION IS SUSPENDED UNTIL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ARE LIFTED.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, IRAQ'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE SUSPENSION. 

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

MR. BUTLER LATER TOLD REPORTERS IRAQI OFFICIALS DEMANDED HIS TEAM
CERTIFY IRAQ HAS ELIMINATED ALL ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, 
A STEP 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.///

IRAQI OFFICIALS ACCUSE THE U-N TEAM OF SEIZING ON MINOR DETAILS 
IN ORDER TO DELAY THE INSPECTIONS PROGRAM AND PROLONG SANCTIONS 
INDEFINITELY.

MR. BUTLER SAYS HE IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE IRAQI POSITION, 
BECAUSE IRAQ IS VERY CLOSE TO MEETING U-N CONDITIONS. HE SAYS 
CERTIFICATION THAT IRAQ HAD ELIMINATED ITS CHEMICAL AND BALLISTIC
WEAPONS IS CLOSE, ALTHOUGH SOME WORK REMAINS ON THE INSPECTIONS 
OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS. NEVERTHELESS, MR. BUTLER SAYS IRAQI 
COOPERATION COULD HAVE LED TO AN END OF THE DISARMAMENT 
INSPECTIONS BY SEPTEMBER WHICH IN TURN COULD HAVE LED TO THE END 
OF THE SANCTIONS BY OCTOBER. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/KBK

05-Aug-98 4:03 PM EDT (2003 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.