DATE=8/31/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237949
TITLE=IRAQ / INSPECTIONS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   IRAQ TODAY (MONDAY) FORMALLY CALLED ON THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED LINKS BETWEEN THE U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM, AND THE UNITED STATES.  V-O-A'S 
MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT:   IRAQI AMBASSADOR NIZAR HAMDOON BROUGHT THE REQUEST TO THE
SECURITY COUNCIL IN THE FORM OF A LETTER FROM IRAQI  DEPUTY PRIME
MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ.  THE LETTER CHARGES THAT THE U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM, IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE UNITED
STATES AND ISRAEL.  IRAQ HAS MADE THOSE CHARGES BEFORE.  THE 
UNITED STATES HAS DENIED THEM. 

THE IRAQI LETTER CALLS FOR A SECURITY COUNCIL INVESTIGATION INTO 
THE MATTER FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION OF AN AMERICAN MEMBER OF THE
INSPECTION COMMISSION, SCOTT RITTER.  MR. RITTER SAID HE WAS 
RESIGNING BECAUSE - HE SAID -- A LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL, THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE UNITED STATES
HAS MADE UNSCOM INEFFECTIVE.

IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, MR. HAMDOON, SPOKE TO 
REPORTERS AFTER DELIVERING THE LETTER TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

                       /// HAMDOON ACT ///

         I DID DELIVER A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT REQUESTING AN 
         INVESTIGATION INTO THIS WHOLE MESS THAT HAS BEEN 
         GENERATED BY MR. RITTER'S RESIGNATION AND BY THE LATEST 
         REPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES INTERVENING WITH UNSCOM TO 
         TRY TO RESCHEDULE THE WORK OF UNSCOM ACCORDING TO ITS 
         LIKING.

                         /// END ACT ///

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DANILO TURK OF SLOVENIA CONFIRMED 
RECEIVING THE LETTER BUT SAID HE WAS NOT CERTAIN OF ITS CONTENTS 
AS IT WAS WRITTEN IN ARABIC.  DIPLOMATS ON THE COUNCIL SAY IT IS 
UNLIKELY ANY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN CONCERNING THE REQUESTS MADE IN
THE LETTER.

THE COUNCIL IS, HOWEVER, CONSIDERING A PROPOSED RESOLUTION 
CONCERNING IRAQ AND THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  THE RESOLUTION, IF 
APPROVED, WOULD SUSPEND THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S PERIODIC REVIEWS 
OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ, IN RESPONSE TO IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF 
COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM.  DIPLOMATS SAY THAT RESOLUTION IS LIKELY
TO BE APPROVED.

IRAQ SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM AMID CHARGES THE WEAPONS 
INSPECTION TEAM IS UNFAIRLY PROLONGING THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER 
THE GULF WAR CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL THE INSPECTION PROCESS HAS 
BEEN COMPLETED.  IRAQ SAYS IT WANTS SANCTIONS LIFTED IMMEDIATELY.
(SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WDC/PT





31-Aug-98 5:34 PM EDT (2134 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.