DATE=8/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236650
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) DENOUNCED 
IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF WEAPONS INSPECTIONS AS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN URGED IRAQ TO ENTER NEW TALKS ON
THE ISSUE, AS WE HEAR FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX 
RUSTON.

TEXT:  THE SECURITY COUNCIL MET FOR CLOSE TO THREE HOURS BEFORE 
ISSUING A STATEMENT DESCRIBING IRAQ'S MOVE AS UNACCEPTABLE.  
SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DANILO TURK OF SLOVENIA SAID IRAQ IS 
NOW VIOLATING COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS ON THE WEAPONS INSPECTION 
PROCESS.  HE SAID THE COUNCIL URGES IRAQ TO RESUME A DIALOGUE 
WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM.

U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAID HE WAS 
PLEASED WITH THE COUNCIL MEETING, AND INDICATED WASHINGTON WOULD 
SUPPORT PUNITIVE ACTION AGAINST IRAQ.

                     /// RICHARDSON ACT ///

         WE BELIEVE THAT A STRONG SECURITY COUNCIL RESPONSE IS 
         NEEDED.  WE WILL BE CONSULTING IN THE DAYS AHEAD ON WHAT
         THAT MIGHT BE.  WE, THE UNITED STATES, FEEL VERY 
         STRONGLY, THAT IRAQ IS PLAYING GAMES, DEFYING THE 
         INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND MAKING SURE THAT SANCTIONS 
         LAST IN PERPETUITY ... THAT IS THE EFFECT OF THEIR 
         ACTIONS.

                         /// END ACT ///


THE LATEST DIFFICULTIES AROSE DURING A VISIT TO IRAQ THIS WEEK BY
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER.  MR. BUTLER TOLD IRAQ MORE 
TIME IS NEEDED TO VERIFY BAGHDAD'S CLAIMS TO HAVE ELIMINATED ALL 
ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AS REQUIRED BY THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL.  IRAQ ACCUSED MR. BUTLER OF UNFAIRLY DELAYING THE 
VERIFICATION PROCESS AND SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH THE U-N 
INSPECTION TEAM.

U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN POSTPONED A VISIT TO PORTUGAL TO
TAKE PART IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY.  AFTER THE 
MEETING, HE TOLD REPORTERS HE SPOKE EARLIER IN THE DAY WITH IRAQI
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ.

                        /// ANNAN ACT ///

         IN MY JUDGMENT, HAVING LISTENED TO MR. TARIQ AZIZ I 
         BELIEVE THAT THE IRAQI POSITION ON THIS ISSUE IS NOT A 
         CLOSED ONE.  THEY SEEM TO HAVE GAINED THE VIEW THAT 
         WHATEVER THEY DO AND ALL THEIR EFFORTS TO COMPLY ON WHAT
         THEY CALL SATISFACTORY COMPLIANCE HAS NOT BEEN 
         RECOGNIZED BY UNSCOM OR THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND I THINK
         THE FRUSTRATIONS CAME THROUGH IF NOT DESPERATION.

                         /// END ACT ///

DIPLOMATS SAY MR. ANNAN WOULD LIKE MR. AZIZ TO COME TO NEW YORK 
FOR TALKS WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL.  MR. ANNAN SAID ALL SIDES 
NEED TO STAND BACK AND REASSESS THE SITUATION, AND THEN HOLD 
TALKS AIMED AT FINDING A NEW SOLUTION.

A VISIT BY MR. AZIZ TO NEW YORK WOULD GIVE MR. ANNAN A NEW 
OPPORTUNITY TO USE HIS OWN NEGOTIATING SKILLS TO REDUCE THE 
TENSION.  HE IS CREDITED WITH DIFFUSING THE LAST CRISIS INVOLVING
IRAQ IN FEBRUARY, BY HOLDING PERSONAL TALKS IN BAGHDAD WITH IRAQI
PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.  THAT CRISIS WAS ALSO TRIGGERED BY 
IRAQI EFFORTS TO BLOCK WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.

MR. ANNAN SAID THAT DURING THE TELEPHONE CALL MR. AZIZ REQUESTED 
THAT THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM BE RESTRUCTURED AND MOVED 
OUT OF NEW YORK.  THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SAID THAT PROPOSAL WAS 
NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE CLOSED-DOOR TALKS ON
THE ISSUE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

06-Aug-98 4:30 PM EDT (2030 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.