DATE=10/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239595
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N  (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ IS DEMANDING AN INVESTIGATION  INTO
REPORTS THAT U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WORKED WITH U-S AND  ISRAELI 
INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES IN ITS PROGRAM TO DISMANTLE IRAQ'S WEAPONS 
OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB HAS DETAILS FROM 
OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU.

TEXT:  IRAQI NEWSPAPERS SAY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ HAS 
WRITTEN A LETTER TO SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN,  URGING A 
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT HE CALLS THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL'S CONNECTION TO INTELLIGENCE WORK THAT IS HOSTILE TO 
IRAQ.  MR. AZIZ ADDS THAT SUCH AN INVESTIGATION IS NECESSARY TO 
GUARANTEE THE CREDIBILITY AND NEUTRALITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

THE LETTER FOLLOWS ALLEGATIONS REPORTED IN THE ISRAELI NEWS MEDIA
BY FORMER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR SCOTT RITTER THAT HE RECEIVED 
HELP FROM ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE IN TRACKING DOWN IRAQI WEAPONS 
PROGRAMS. 

THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT HAS FREQUENTLY COMPLAINED THAT THE U-N 
SPECIAL COMMISSION IS SEEKING TO PROLONG THE INSPECTIONS PROGRAM 
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ, WHICH IT 
SAYS IS THE POLICY OF THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS. U-N 
INSPECTORS MUST CERTIFY THAT IRAQ HAS ELIMINATED ALL ITS WEAPONS 
OF MASS DESTRUCTION BEFORE THE SANCTIONS CAN BE LIFTED.

IRAQ SUSPENDED ALL NEW U-N INSPECTIONS TWO MONTHS AGO, LEADING 
THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO SUSPEND ITS REVIEWS OF THE DISARMAMENT 
PROGRAM. THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO CARRY OUT A 
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE PROGRAM, AS PROPOSED BY THE 
SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN ORDER TO BREAK THE IMPASSE. HOWEVER, IRAQ 
MAINTAINS THE SANCTIONS MUST BE LIFTED FIRST.

                         ///REST OPT.///

MR. RITTER, A FORMER U-S MARINE, RESIGNED FROM THE SPECIAL 
COMMISSION LAST AUGUST AND ACCUSED THE U-S AND BRITISH 
GOVERNMENTS OF NOT SUPPORTING IT IN ITS WORK. HE HAS ACCUSED 
SENIOR U-S OFFICIALS OF PRESSURING THE COMMISSION TO MODERATE ITS
EFFORTS AND HAS ALLEGED IN INTERVIEWS THAT HE FEELS IRAQ HAS NOT 
FULLY COOPERATED IN THE DISARMAMENT PROGRAM.

MR. RITTER WAS REPRIMANDED THURSDAY BY THE HEAD OF THE U-N 
SPECIAL COMMISSION, RICHARD BUTLER, WHO WROTE HIM A LETTER SAYING
HIS RECENT STATEMENTS WERE IN VIOLATION OF HIS CONTRACT WITH THE 
UNITED NATIONS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/PCF

02-Oct-98 10:53 AM EDT (1453 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.