DATE=10/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-240146
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ WEAPONS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL URGED IRAQ TODAY 
(TUESDAY) TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS, 
SAYING IRAQ IS NEAR COMPLETION OF SOME AREAS OF THE INSPECTION 
PROCESS.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON 
REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE COUNCIL RECEIVED BRIEFINGS ON THE SITUATION IN IRAQ 
FROM THE HEADS OF THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM, 
AND THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, THE I-A-E-A.  THEY 
INDICATED THAT IN THE AREA OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS, IRAQ HAS NEARLY 
SATISFIED BASIC DISARMAMENT INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS.  THE 
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE I-A-E-A SAID IRAQ COULD SOON GRADUATE TO 
REGULAR MONITORING AND VERIFICATION IN THAT AREA.

UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER SAID THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND MISSILE
FILES ARE ALSO CLOSE TO COMPLETION, WITH ONLY A FEW ITEMS STILL 
REQUIRING RESOLUTION.

BUT COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THERE ARE REMAINING QUESTIONS ABOUT 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS IN IRAQ.  SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JEREMY 
GREENSTOCK OF BRITAIN READ A STATEMENT AFTER THE BRIEFINGS:

                     /// GREENSTOCK ACT ///

         THEY NOTED THAT ON THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS FILE RATHER 
         MORE WORK WAS NEEDED WHICH DEPENDED CRUCIALLY ON FULL 
         DISCLOSURE BY IRAQ, INCLUDING OF INFORMATION ON B-W 
         (BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS), WHICH THEY ALREADY SAY THEY HAVE. 
         IN THE LIGHT OF THESE REPORTS, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL 
         LOOK TO IRAQ TO TAKE THE DECISION TO RESUME COOPERATION.

                         /// END ACT ///

IRAQ SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM AND THE I-A-E-A IN EARLY 
AUGUST, CLAIMING THOSE AGENCIES WERE INTENTIONALLY REFUSING TO 
RECOGNIZE IRAQ'S PROGRESS ON DISARMAMENT.  U-N INSPECTORS DENY 
THOSE CHARGES.  

SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS REQUIRE THE COMPLETION OF THE 
INSPECTION PROCESS BEFORE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER THE 
GULF WAR CAN BE LIFTED.  IRAQ SAYS IT HAS MET ALL DISARMAMENT 
REQUIREMENTS AND IT WANTS THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO LIFT SANCTIONS 
IMMEDIATELY.

U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS WORKING WITH THE COUNCIL AND 
IRAQ, TRYING TO BRING ABOUT A RESUMPTION IN INSPECTIONS.  U-N 
OFFICIALS INDICATE THE TWO SIDES MAY BE CLOSE TO AN AGREEMENT.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW

13-Oct-98 4:07 PM EDT (2007 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.