DATE=8/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237287
TITLE=U-N - IRAQ / DEADLOCK
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: IRAQ IS (TUESDAY) REFUSING TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH 
UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS, DESPITE INCREASING U-N 
PRESSURE FOR IT TO DO SO.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS
ON THE ESCALATING TENSION BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT:  DIPLOMATS ATTENDING U-N SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS SAY 
THEY ARE INTENTIONALLY TAKING A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH IN THE 
DISPUTE WITH IRAQ OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  THEY ARE DOING THIS,
THEY SAY, IN ORDER TO GIVE BAGHDAD AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES AS 
POSSIBLE TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION -- UNSCOM -- AND THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY 
AGENCY, THE I-A-E-A.

ON TUESDAY, THE SECURITY COUNCIL SENT LETTERS TO UNSCOM AND THE 
I-A-E-A REMINDING THEM OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO CARRY OUT  
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ, REGARDLESS OF BAGHDAD'S THREAT NOT 
TO COOPERATE.  DANILO TURK, OF SLOVENIA, IS PRESIDENT OF THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL.

                        /// TURK ACT ///

         WELL, I THINK THE LETTERS, ON THE ONE HAND, SUMMARIZE 
         THE POSITION OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL THAT IRAQ MUST 
         COMPLY WITH THE RESOLUTIONS - RESOLUTION SIX-EIGHT-SEVEN
         - WHICH IS THE STANDARD OF WORK WITH REGARD TO THE 
         DISARMAMENT OF IRAQ.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. TURK SAYS IF UNSCOM AND THE I-A-E-A FACE OBSTACLES IN THEIR  
WORK, THEY SHOULD REPORT THEM TO THE COUNCIL, WHICH WILL THEN 
DECIDE WHAT, IF ANY, ACTION TO TAKE.  U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY FEEL
IT IS TOO EARLY TO CONSIDER A MILITARY RESPONSE.

FOR ITS PART, IRAQ IS  NOT  SHOWING ANY INDICATION THAT IT PLANS 
TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH THE U-N INSPECTORS.

IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NIZAR HAMDOON, SAYS IT 
IS UP TO THE UNITED NATIONS TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE 
LATEST DEADLOCK.  HE SAYS THE SOLUTION IRAQ WANTS IS THE 
IMMEDIATE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL 
AFTER THE GULF WAR.

                       /// HAMDOON ACT ///

         WE CANNOT CONTINUE WITH THIS.  WE HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED. 
         AND WE HAVE REACHED A LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION THAT HAS LED 
         US TO THE LAYING DOWN OF OUR TERMS (INDICATING) THE WAYS
         OF KEEPING COOPERATION.  OTHERWISE, IF UNSCOM DOES NOT 
         MOVE TOWARD THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS OR CLOSING THE 
         FILES, IRAQ IS NOT GOING TO COOPERATE IN THE FUTURE.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE LAST MAJOR DEADLOCK BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS, IN 
FEBRUARY, ALSO FOCUSSED ON THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  U-N 
SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TRAVELED TO BAGHDAD FOR EMERGENCY 
TALKS ON THE ISSUE WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN AND LEFT WITH AN AGREEMENT
TO RESUME COOPERATION ON THE INSPECTIONS.

THIS TIME MR. ANNAN IS VACATIONING IN EUROPE AND AFRICA AND 
CLEARLY HAS NO INTENTION OF INTERRUPTING HIS VISIT.  HIS 
SPOKESMAN SAYS ONLY THAT MR. ANNAN IS PLEASED THAT THE SECURITY 
COUNCIL APPROACH TO THE DISPUTE IS LOW-KEY AND NOT 
CONFRONTATIONAL.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF

18-Aug-98 3:42 PM EDT (1942 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.