DATE=8/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237225
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS (MONDAY) PREPARING
TO TELL U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK IN IRAQ.  
THE SECURITY COUNCIL MOVE WOULD CHALLENGE IRAQ'S DECISION EARLIER
THIS MONTH TO SUSPEND COOPERATION WITH THE INSPECTORS.  V-O-A 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT:  THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS PREPARING TO SEND LETTERS TO THE 
THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM, UNSCOM, AND THE INTERNATIONAL 
ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, THE I-A-E-A.  THE LETTERS REMIND THE TWO 
ORGANIZATIONS OF THEIR MANDATES TO CARRY OUT INSPECTIONS 
CONCERNING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION COMES JUST DAYS AFTER IRAQ SAID IT 
WAS SUSPENDING COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM AND THE I-A-E-A BECAUSE OF
A LACK OF PROGRESS IN THEIR WORK.

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DANILO TURK OF SLOVENIA SAYS IRAQ'S 
RESPONSE TO NEW REQUESTS FROM UNSCOM AND THE I-A-E-A WOULD HELP 
CLARIFY WHETHER BAGHDAD IS VIOLATING COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS 
REQUIRING THE INSPECTIONS.

                        /// TURK ACT ///

         SINCE THE IRAQI DECLARATION DOES NOT GO BEYOND AN 
         INTENTION, DOES NOT REPRESENT ACTION AS SUCH, BUT AN 
         INTENTION, ONE CANNOT PROPERLY USE THE WORD VIOLATION.

                         /// END ACT ///

IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS NIZAR HAMDOON CRITICIZED 
THE COUNCIL'S PLAN TO SEND THE LETTERS, SAYING THE COUNCIL SHOULD
TRY TO DEAL INSTEAD WITH THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.  IRAQ BLAMES 
THE UNITED STATES AND UNSCOM FOR THE PROBLEM, SAYING THEY HAVE 
UNFAIRLY MANIPULATED THE INSPECTION PROCESS IN ORDER TO ENSURE 
SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER THE GULF WAR ARE NOT LIFTED.

MR. HAMDOON SAYS IRAQ WILL ALLOW UNSCOM AND THE I-A-E-A TO 
CONTINUE MONITORING SITES ALREADY INSPECTED BUT WILL NOT ASSIST 
THEM IN ARRANGING INSPECTIONS OF NEW SITES.

                       /// HAMDOON ACT ///

         NO WE HAVE STOPPED OUR COOPERATION WITH THEM.  THERE IS 
         NO WAY WE WILL RESPOND TO THEIR REQUEST FOR INSPECTIONS 
         UNDER THIS SITUATION.

                         /// END ACT ///

U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAYS IRAQ IS
WORKING AGAINST ITS OWN INTERESTS IN SUSPENDING COOPERATION WITH 
UNSCOM AND THE I-A-E-A.  HE SAYS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS UNIFIED 
IN VIEWING IRAQ'S MOVE AS UNACCEPTABLE.  HE SAYS THE UNITED 
STATES WILL NOT ALLOW SANCTIONS TO BE LIFTED UNTIL THE WEAPONS 
INSPECTION PROCESS IS FULLY COMPLETED.

A SPECIAL U-N ENVOY IS CURRENTLY IN BAGHDAD TRYING TO CONVINCE 
IRAQI LEADERS TO RESUME COOPERATION.  THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTS 
OF PROGRESS IN HIS MISSION SO FAR.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/PT

17-Aug-98 6:08 PM EDT (2208 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.