DATE=10/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239807
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / NEGOTIATIONS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS, AIMED 
AT BREAKING A DEADLOCK OVER U-N INSPECTION OF IRAQI WEAPONS 
SITES, CONTINUED TODAY (TUESDAY) IN NEW YORK.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON
REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT:  IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ HELD TALKS WITH THE
PRESIDENT OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, BRITISH AMBASSADOR JEREMY 
GREENSTOCK.  THEY DISCUSSED A PROPOSAL FROM U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL
KOFI ANNAN THAT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTION PROCESS BE CARRIED OUT AS A MEANS OF BREAKING THE 
DEADLOCK OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS IRAQ MUST LIFT ITS SUSPENSION OF 
COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM, 
BEFORE ANY SUCH REVIEW CAN BEGIN.  MR. AZIZ HAS NOT RULED THAT 
OUT.  BUT, ON TUESDAY HE INDICATED IRAQ IS NOT YET SATISFIED WITH
THE PROPOSED TERMS OF THE REVIEW.

                        /// AZIZ ACT ///

         IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE COUNCIL AND
         THE WORK ON THE PREPARATION AND THE BASIS AND THE 
         FRAMEWORK OF THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW HAS NOT YET 
         REACHED ITS FINAL END, AND I AM GOING TO MEET THE 
         SECRETARY-GENERAL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO KNOW TO WHAT 
         DEGREE THIS EFFORT OR THIS PROCESS HAS REACHED.  BUT I 
         HAVE TO SAY IN FRANKNESS AND HONESTY THAT THERE ARE A 
         NUMBER OF ELEMENTS WHICH ARE DISTURBING.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. AZIZ INDICATED HE IS UNHAPPY WITH U-S AND BRITISH EFFORTS TO 
ENSURE BEYOND ANY REASONABLE DOUBT THAT IRAQ IS NO LONGER 
DEVELOPING OR ON POSSESSION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- THE
KEY REQUIREMENT FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE 
GULF WAR.

DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS SAY MR. AZIZ'S SOMEWHAT NEGATIVE 
COMMENTS OF THE PROPOSED TERMS OF THE REVIEW ARE MOST LIKELY 
DIPLOMATIC POSTURING.  MR. AZIZ HAS BEEN IN NEW YORK FOR TWO 
WEEKS DISCUSSING THE PROPOSED REVIEW.  DIPLOMATS SAY IT IS 
UNLIKELY HE WOULD HAVE STAYED SO LONG IF THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY 
PROGRESS.

IRAQ SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM IN AUGUST, ACCUSING IT OF 
UNFAIRLY AND INTENTIONALLY IGNORING IRAQI PROGRESS IN THE 
DISARMAMENT PROCESS .. A CHARGE UNSCOM DENIES.  (SIGNED)



NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

06-Oct-98 5:29 PM EDT (2129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.