DATE=10/31/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-240996
TITLE=U-N/IRAQ INSPECTIONS UPDATE (S & L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 


INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HAS DENOUNCED IRAQ FOR
ITS DECISION TO HALT COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  THE STATEMENT CAME SATURDAY AT THE END OF A 
RARE WEEKEND MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, AS WE HEAR FROM OUR U-N 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.

TEXT:  AFTER MEETING FOR JUST OVER AN HOUR, THE COUNCIL RELEASED 
A STATEMENT DESCRIBING IRAQ'S DECISION AS A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.  IT CONDEMNS THE IRAQI DECISION AND DEMANDS 
THAT THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AND UNCONDITIONALLY RESUME 
FULL COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION.

THE STATEMENT DOES NOT CONTAIN THREATS OF SUBSTANTIVE PUNITIVE 
MEASURES BUT SAYS THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THE 
ISSUE DURING THE COMING DAYS.

IRAQ ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO SUSPEND ALL COOPERATION WITH THE 
INSPECTION COMMISSION, IN A STATEMENT OUT OF BAGHDAD, AS A 
PROTEST AGAINST THE U-N BACKED DISARMAMENT PROCESS AND 
INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS.

U-N INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN IN IRAQ ATTEMPTING TO VERIFY IRAQ'S 
CLAIM THAT IT NO LONGER HAS ANY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. SUCH
VERIFICATION IS REQUIRED BY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS APPROVED AFTER 
THE GULF WAR.

                          /// REST OPTIONAL ///

IRAQ'S LATEST MOVE FOLLOWS A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION 
WITH UNSCOM IN AUGUST.  AS RECENTLY AS FRIDAY, THE COUNCIL WAS 
DISCUSSING WAYS TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE.  ON FRIDAY, THE COUNCIL 
VOICED SUPPORT FOR A PROPOSAL FROM U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI 
ANNAN THAT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF IRAQI COMPLIANCE WITH 
RELEVANT COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS BE CARRIED OUT.  THE COUNCIL SENT A 
LETTER TO MR. ANNAN RESPONDING TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY IRAQ AND 
PROMISING THAT THE REVIEW WOULD BEGIN VERY SOON AFTER IRAQ 
RESUMES COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM.

THE COUNCIL STATEMENT SATURDAY REITERATES COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR THE
REVIEW PROPOSAL. IT SAYS THE LATEST DECISION BY IRAQ HAS DELAYED 
THAT PROCESS BUT DOES NOT PROVIDE DETAILS.

DIPLOMATS SAY THE COUNCIL STATEMENT IS DESIGNED TO CLEARLY STATE 
THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM WHILE TRYING TO AVOID AGGRAVATING 
THE SITUATION.  THEY SAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IRAQ ENGAGED IN 
THE DISARMAMENT PROCESS, AS THAT OFFERS THE BEST MEANS FOR 
PREVENTING IT FROM DEVELOPING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN DESCRIBED THE IRAQI MOVE AS A 
VIOLATION OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS --  ECHOING HIS 
REACTION TO THE PARTIAL SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION IN AUGUST.  
ASKED IF HE WILL PLAY A DIRECT ROLE IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THE 
DEADLOCK, HE SAID THAT IS AN ISSUE FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO 
DECIDE.  MR. ANNAN MAINTAINS HIGH-LEVEL CONTACTS WITH IRAQI 
OFFICIALS.  HE DEFUSED A SIMILAR CRISIS EARLIER THIS YEAR BY 
TRAVELLING TO BAGHDAD AND HOLDING TALKS WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT 
SADDAM HUSSEIN. (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/SD

31-Oct-98 7:40 PM EST (0040 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.