DATE=8/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236987
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS' CHIEF ARMS INSPECTOR, RICHARD BUTLER,
SAYS HIS DISARMAMENT ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO A 
HALT BY IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO COOPERATE WITH HIM.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON
REPORTS MR. BUTLER OUTLINED THE IMPACT OF IRAQ'S MOVE IN A LETTER
DELIVERED WEDNESDAY TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.

TEXT:  IN A TWO-PAGE LETTER TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL MR. BUTLER 
SAYS THERE ARE TWO DISTINCT TYPES OF INSPECTION ACTIVITIES 
CARRIED OUT BY HIS COMMISSION IN IRAQ.  DISARMAMENT ACTIVITIES 
INVOLVE THE INSPECTION OF SITES WHERE BANNED WEAPONS ARE 
SUSPECTED OF BEING STORED OR PRODUCED.  MONITORING ACTIVITIES ARE
DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AT PREVIOUSLY 
INSPECTED SITES ARE NOT RESUMED.

IN THE LETTER, MR. BUTLER SAYS HIS DISARMAMENT ACTIVITIES HAVE 
NOW BEEN BROUGHT TO A HALT.  HE SAYS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HIS 
MONITORING ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED.

MR. BUTLER SAYS UNDER THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES HE CANNOT PROVIDE
THE SECURITY COUNCIL WITH ASSURANCES THAT IRAQ IS COMPLYING WITH 
ITS OBLIGATIONS  NOT  TO RE-ESTABLISH ITS FORBIDDEN WEAPONS 
PROGRAMS.

HIS LETTER HELPS CLARIFY WHAT HAS BEEN A CONFUSED SITUATION SINCE
IRAQ ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK IT WAS SUSPENDING ALL COOPERATION WITH 
THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION -- UNSCOM.

IRAQ SAYS IT ORDERED THE SUSPENSION BECAUSE UNSCOM IS UNFAIRLY 
DELAYING THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  THE INSPECTION PROCESS WAS 
ORDERED BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL AS A MEANS FOR VERIFYING 
IRAQ'S CLAIMS THAT IT  NO  LONGER HAS ANY WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION.  COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ 
AFTER THE GULF WAR CAN  NOT  BE LIFTED UNTIL THE COUNCIL RECEIVES
THAT VERIFICATION.

IRAQ SAYS IT HAS MET ALL U-N REQUIREMENTS AND SANCTIONS SHOULD BE
LIFTED IMMEDIATELY.

LAST WEEK IRAQ ALSO SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL 
ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, THE I-A-E-A, WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN CARRYING 
OUT INSPECTIONS IN THAT COUNTRY.  THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE 
I-A-E-A SENT A LETTER TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, EXPRESSING
CONCERNS SIMILAR TO THOSE OUTLINED BY MR. BUTLER.(SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO

12-Aug-98 5:08 PM EDT (2108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.