DATE=8/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237603
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES IS PROPOSING A SUSPENSION OF THE UNITED
NATIONS REVIEW PROCESS FOR SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER THE 
GULF WAR.  IF APPROVED, THE MEASURE WOULD BE THE STRONGEST ACTION
TO DATE FROM THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IN RESPONSE TO IRAQ'S 
SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  V-O-A'S 
MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT:  DETAILS OF THE U-S PROPOSAL WERE RELEASED AFTER THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVED A BRIEFING ON IRAQ FROM THE U-N SPECIAL
ENVOY TO THAT COUNTRY, PRAKASH SHAH.  MR. SHAH RETURNED FROM IRAQ
LAST WEEK AFTER TRYING TO CONVINCE AUTHORITIES THERE TO RESUME 
COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, THE 
I-A-E-A, AND THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM. 

 U-S DEPUTY AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, PETER BURLEIGH 
(BUR-LEE), SPOKE TO REPORTERS AFTER THE BRIEFING.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         THE U-S POSITION IS THAT WE WILL BE CONSULTING IN THE 
         COURSE OF THIS WEEK LOOKING TOWARDS A COUNCIL RESOLUTION
         ON IRAQ.  WE ARE SUGGESTING THE SUSPENSION OF SANCTIONS 
         REVIEWS UNTIL IRAQ COMES INTO COOPERATION WITH I-A-E-A 
         AND UNSCOM.

                         /// END ACT ///

IRAQ SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS 
EARLIER THIS MONTH TO PROTEST WHAT IT SEES AS EFFORTS BY THE 
UNITED NATIONS TO PROLONG THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  SECURITY 
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS REQUIRE THAT THE INSPECTORS VERIFY IRAQ'S 
CLAIMS TO HAVE ELIMINATED ALL ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION 
BEFORE SANCTIONS CAN BE LIFTED.  IRAQ SAYS IT HAS PROVIDED 
SUFFICIENT INFORMATION FOR THAT VERIFICATION ... A CLAIM DISPUTED
BY UNSCOM (U-N SPECIAL COMISSION).  IRAQ WANTS SANCTIONS LIFTED 
IMMEDIATELY.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS DESCRIBED IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF 
COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM AND THE I-A-E-A AS UNACCEPTABLE.  BUT 
DIPLOMATS SAY THERE IS DISAGREEMENT IN THE COUNCIL OVER THE 
GENERAL ISSUE OF WHEN AND HOW SANCTIONS ON IRAQ SHOULD BE LIFTED.

IF THE PROPOSED U-S RESOLUTION IS APPROVED, IT WOULD REMOVE ANY 
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS 
AGAINST IRAQ.  IT WOULD STEP UP PRESSURE ON IRAQ TO COOPERATE 
WITH THE INSPECTORS.  BUT DIPLOMATS SAY IT COULD ALSO TRIGGER A 
NEW RISE IN TENSION IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND INCREASE PROSPECTS FOR
A NEW CONFLICT IN THE REGION.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

24-Aug-98 5:11 PM EDT (2111 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.