DATE=8/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237025
TITLE=IRAQ - U-N (S & L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

/////  ED'S: WATCH FOR UPDATES TO INTRO.  SHAH DUE TO MEET TARIQ 
                   AT 1600 UTC (NOON).  /////

INTRO:  THE U-N SPECIAL ENVOY TO IRAQ, PRAKASH SHAH, HAS ARRIVED 
IN BAGHDAD ON A MISSION AIMED AT REVIVING THE U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTIONS PROGRAM.  THE SPECIAL ENVOY TOLD REPORTERS HE IS 
CARRYING A MESSAGE FROM U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN.  MORE 
FROM MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IN CAIRO.

TEXT:  U-N SPECIAL ENVOY PRAKASH SHAH DID  NOT  DISCLOSE THE 
CONTENTS OF THE MESSAGE HE IS CARRYING TO IRAQI LEADERS, BUT A 
U-N SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD ASK THEM TO REVERSE THEIR DECISION OF
LAST WEEK TO SUSPEND COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS
PROGRAM.

THE DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER U-N CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR 
RICHARD BUTLER REFUSED A DEMAND TO CERTIFY IRAQ HAS ELIMINATED 
ALL ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  ROUTINE U-N MONITORING OF 
KNOWN SITES HAS CONTINUED, BUT INSPECTIONS OF NEW SITES HAS BEEN 
HALTED.

IRAQ ACCUSES U-N INSPECTORS OF PROLONGING THEIR INSPECTIONS IN 
ORDER TO MAINTAIN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, WHICH IRAQ SAYS IS CAUSING 
THOUSANDS OF DEATHS EACH MONTH. 

THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS CALLED IRAQ'S DECISION UNACCEPTABLE.

                        /// REST OPT ///

THE IRAQI NEWS MEDIA THURSDAY GREETED THE U-N SPECIAL ENVOY WITH 
EDITORIALS CRITICIZING THE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS PROGRAM.

THE STATE-RUN "AL-QADISSIYA" NEWSPAPER ACCUSED MR. BUTLER OF 
WORKING FOR THE U-S GOVERNMENT, WHICH IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY WANTS 
SANCTIONS MAINTAINED IN ORDER TO FORCE A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT IN 
BAGHDAD.  THE NEWSPAPER SAID THE INSPECTOR'S JOB REQUIRES 
IMPARTIALITY AND FAIRNESS, WHICH IT SAID THE CHIEF INSPECTOR NO 
LONGER POSSESSES.

"AL-THAWRA" NEWSPAPER, OWNED BY THE RULING BAATH PARTY, SAID THE 
INSPECTOR'S CONCLUSIONS ARE BASED ON FALSE SPECULATIONS AIMED AT 
PRESERVING THE SANCTIONS.

THE INFLUENTIAL "BABEL" NEWSPAPER, OWNED BY THE IRAQI PRESIDENT'S
SON, SAID IRAQ WOULD  NOT  ACCEPT ANY SOLUTION THAT FALLS SHORT 
OF A COMPLETE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THIS IS NOT A CRISIS AND SAY THEY ARE SEEKING A
DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION.  THE UNITED NATIONS (THURSDAY), FOR THE 
FIRST TIME, APPROVED CONTRACTS TO SUPPLY SPARE PARTS TO IRAQ'S 
OIL INDUSTRY, WHICH HAS DETERIORATED UNDER THE SEVEN-YEAR-OLD 
SANCTIONS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/PCF/RAE

13-Aug-98 11:19 AM EDT (1519 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.