DATE=9/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239384
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ HELD TALKS AT U-N 
HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK (MONDAY) WITH U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI
ANNAN, BUT  NO  AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON ENDING A DISPUTE OVER 
U-N DISARMAMENT INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ.  UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  AFTER THE TALKS, MR. AZIZ TOLD REPORTERS IRAQ IS WILLING 
TO COOPERATE WITH MR. ANNAN'S PROPOSAL FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
OF THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  BUT HE SAID THE REVIEW ALONE IS NOT 
ENOUGH TO END IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH THE U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  HE REITERATED HIS 
GOVERNMENT'S STAND THAT IRAQ HAS MET ALL U-N DISARMAMENT 
REQUIREMENTS.  HE SAID SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR 
SHOULD THEREFORE BE LIFTED.

                        /// AZIZ ACT ///

         THE IDEA THAT IRAQ SHOULD DO THIS OR THAT CONCESSION 
         BEFORE THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW TAKES PLACE IS NOT 
         LEGAL.  IT IS NOT LOGICAL.  IRAQ HAS COMPLIED WITH THE 
         U-N RESOLUTIONS FOR SEVEN-AND-ONE-HALF YEARS.  AND THE 
         SECURITY COUNCIL HAS NOT TAKEN ANY STEPS TO REDUCE OR 
         LIFT THE SANCTIONS ACCORDING TO THE LETTER OF ITS OWN 
         RESOLUTION.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. AZIZ AND THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUE FOR
MORE THAN AN HOUR.  MR. AZIZ SAID THEIR TALKS WILL CONTINUE LATER
IN THE WEEK.

IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM HAS LED TO NEW 
TENSION IN TIES BETWEEN THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL AND IRAQ.  
BAGHDAD SAYS UNSCOM IS BEING MANIPULATED BY THE UNITED STATES AND
IS REFUSING TO RECOGNIZE PROGRESS MADE IN THE DISARMAMENT 
PROCESS.

UNSCOM OFFICIALS DENY THAT CHARGE.  THEY SAY IRAQ HAS MADE SOME 
PROGRESS, BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS.  UNSCOM 
OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED IRAQ IS HIDING ELEMENTS OF ITS 
PROGRAMS TO CREATE AND DEPLOY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

MR. AZIZ STRESSED IRAQ IS CONTINUING TO WORK WITH U-N INSPECTORS 
IN SOME AREAS, PARTICULARLY IN THE MONITORING OF SITES ALREADY 
EXAMINED.  ASKED IF IRAQ WILL COOPERATE WITH NEW INSPECTIONS, HE 
SAID THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR NEW PROVOCATIONS.

MR. AZIZ IS IN NEW YORK FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL DEBATE OF THE U-N 
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.  HE IS SCHEDULED TO SPEAK TO THE ASSEMBLY 
WEDNESDAY.  HE HAS ALSO SCHEDULED SEPARATE TALKS WITH SEVERAL 
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED ON THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, TO DISCUSS THE
INSPECTION DISPUTE.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE

28-Sep-98 2:34 PM EDT (1834 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.