DATE=8/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2236655-
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON 
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   FOR THE SECOND TIME IN SIX MONTHS, THE UNITED STATES IS 
AGAIN FACING A POSSIBLE CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ OVER BAGHDAD'S 
REFUSAL TO ALLOW THE UNITED NATIONS TO SEARCH FOR SUSPECTED 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  WE GET DETAILS FROM CORRESPONDENT 
NICK SIMEONE.  

TEXT:   AGAIN, IRAQ IS DECLARING ITS COOPERATION WITH UNITED 
NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO BE OVER.  AND AGAIN, THE UNITED 
STATES AND THE UNITED NATIONS ARE BOTH FACED WITH A DECISION 
ABOUT HOW TO RESPOND. 

FOR THE MOMENT, THE ISSUE REMAINS IN THE HANDS OF THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL.  BUT WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN P-J CROWLEY TOLD 
REPORTERS BAGHDAD IS MISTAKEN IF IT THINKS IT WILL SEE AN EARLY 
LIFTING OF U-N SANCTIONS BY DECIDING TO END COOPERATION WITH  
WEAPONS INSPECTORS.    

                        // CROWLEY ACT //

         WE'RE NOT GOING TO PLAY IRAQ'S GAME HERE.  WE'VE HAD 
         SITUATIONS OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS OF IRAQ WITHHOLDING
         SUPPORT, GRANTING SUPPORT, AND WE'RE JUST NOT GOING TO 
         PLAY THIS GAME.  THEIR OBLIGATIONS ARE CLEAR.  THEY MUST
         FULLY COMPLY WITH UNSCOM, (U-N SPECIAL COMMISION) FULLY 
         COMPLY WITH THE I-A-E-A (INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY 
         AGENCY) IN HAVING FULL ACCOUNTING OF THEIR WEAPONS OF 
         MASS DESTRUCTION AND SANCTIONS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE 
         UNTIL THEY DO SO.

                         // END ACT //  

IN FEBRUARY, THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN THREATENED TO USE 
FORCE AGAINST IRAQ WHEN BAGHDAD BLOCKED THE WORK OF U-N WEAPONS 
SPECIALISTS WHILE FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA ADOPTED A MORE 
FLEXIBLE STANCE.  

THIS TIME THOUGH, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN ANN 
GAZEAU-SECRET EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT BAGHDAD WOULD DECIDE 
TO END COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AT A TIME WHEN WEAPONS
INSPECTORS APPEAR TO BE READY TO WRAP UP SOME OF THEIR WORK.  

                    // GAZEAU-SECRET ACT // 

         THE DECISION TO BREAK OFF TALKS AND COOPERATION WITH THE
         UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMISSION BY IRAQ IS VERY 
         DISTURBING.  WE CAN NOT ACCEPT SUCH A DECISION AND WE 
         HOPE THAT IRAQ WILL NOT IMPLEMENT IT.   AFTER SEVEN 
         YEARS OF INSPECTIONS, DISARMAMENT IS NOT FAR FROM BEING 
         ACHIEVED.  

                          // END ACT //

THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS WEIGHING OPTIONS IF IRAQ REFUSES TO 
BACK DOWN.  THE UNITED STATES HAS SOME 19-THOUSAND MILITARY 
PERSONNEL DEPLOYED IN THE GULF REGION -- ALONG WITH WARSHIPS AND 
FIGHTER JETS -- ENOUGH TO MOUNT AN ATTACK IF SUCH A DECISION WAS 
MADE.  BUT AT THIS POINT, NO ONE ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS 
DISCUSSING A MILITARY RESPONSE.  (SIGNED) 



NEB/NJS/PT



06-Aug-98 5:55 PM EDT (2155 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.