DATE=8/7/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236723
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / NEXT STEP (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK DENOUNCED 
IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH U-N ARMS INSPECTORS.  BUT 
THE COUNCIL DID NOT ANNOUNCE ANY SPECIFIC MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO
THE IRAQI MOVE.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON 
SPOKE WITH SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT THE LATEST STALEMATE 
WITH IRAQ.

TEXT:  DIPLOMATS INVOLVED IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS SAY
THEY ARE  NOT  PLANNING ANY IMMEDIATE PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST 
IRAQ.  U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON SAYS A STRONG RESPONSE IS 
NEEDED.  OTHER DIPLOMATS SAY THE SITUATION REMAINS SOMEWHAT 
CONFUSED.  THEY SAY THAT WHILE IRAQ SAYS IT IS SUSPENDING 
COOPERATION WITH THE ARMS INSPECTION TEAM, STATEMENTS FROM 
BAGHDAD HAVE  NOT  CONSISTENTLY BEEN FOLLOWED UP WITH ACTIONS.

MORE TIME IS NEEDED, DIPLOMATS SAY, TO DETERMINE HOW SERIOUS THE 
SITUATION IS.

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DANILO TURK, SLOVENIA'S AMBASSADOR TO 
THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYS ONE COURSE OF ACTION COULD BE TO FOLLOW 
UP ON A PROPOSAL MADE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO CARRY 
OUT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE INSPECTION PROCESS.

                        /// TURK ACT ///

         THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW IS  NOT  YET FULLY DEVELOPED AS
         A CONCEPT, BUT AS A GENERAL NOTION WE, AS THE SLOVENIAN 
         DELEGATION SUPPORT THAT, AND THERE ARE OTHER DELEGATIONS
         IN THE COUNCIL WHO ALSO FEEL THAT THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO 
         PROCEED.

                         /// END ACT ///

SUCH A REVIEW WOULD MOST LIKELY BE LED BY A U-N SPECIAL ENVOY AND
INVOLVE A REASSESSMENT OF BOTH THE SANCTIONS AND INSPECTIONS 
IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR.  IRAQ SAYS IT HAS MET ALL U-N 
REQUIREMENTS IN THOSE AREAS -- A CLAIM DISPUTED BY WEAPONS 
INSPECTION CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER.

WHEN ASKED WHEN SUCH A REVIEW MIGHT TAKE PLACE, DIPLOMATS SAY IT 
COULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO BEGIN.

A MORE IMMEDIATE MEASURE NOW UNDER DISCUSSION IS A PROPOSAL THAT 
MR. ANNAN OR THE SECURITY COUNCIL INVITE IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME 
MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ TO NEW YORK FOR TALKS ON THE LATEST DISPUTE. 
U-N OFFICIALS SAY MR. ANNAN IS CONVINCED SUCH A VISIT WOULD HELP 
REDUCE MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR DISCUSSIONS ON 
SUBSTANTIVE DISPUTES TO TAKE PLACE IN A LESS HEATED ATMOSPHERE.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF

07-Aug-98 2:49 PM EDT (1849 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.