DATE=11/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241041
TITLE=IRAQ/U-N MONDAY (S&L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  POSITIONS CONTINUE TO HARDEN IN THE STANDOFF BETWEEN THE 
GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ AND THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.   IRAQ SUSPENDED
COOPERATION WITH U-N MONITORS ON SATURDAY, FOLLOWING A U-N 
DECISION TO MAINTAINED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT 
BOBB REPORTS IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST 
BUREAU.

TEXT:  THE IRAQI PARLIAMENT MONDAY UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED 
SATURDAY'S DECISION BY THE RULING REVOLUTIONARY COMMAND COUNCIL 
TO FURTHER REDUCE COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.

A PARLIAMENTARY STATEMENT CONDEMNED THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION 
THAT IS OVERSEEING THE IRAQI DISARMAMENT PROGRAM AND URGED AN END
TO ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.

U-N OFFICIALS SAID MOST INSPECTIONS WERE SUSPENDED FOR A SECOND 
DAY IN IRAQ. THEY SAID A TECHNICAL TEAM WENT OUT TO MAINTAIN 
EQUIPMENT USED TO MONITOR SEVERAL HUNDRED SUSPECTED WEAPONS 
SITES.  A TEAM FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY 
CONDUCTED A SECOND DAY OF MONITORING. OTHERWISE, THEY SAID, THE 
U-N TEAMS WERE IDLE.

///OPT. FOR SHORT CR///

IRAQ HAS FORBIDDEN U-N INSPECTORS FROM VISITING NEW SITES SINCE 
LAST AUGUST, WHEN THE U-N COMMISSION REFUSED TO CERTIFY IRAQ HAD 
SATISFIED U-N DEMANDS THAT IT END DEVELOPMENT OF ALL WEAPONS OF 
MASS DESTRUCTION. HOWEVER, ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF EXISTING SITES 

HAD CONTINUED -- UNTIL SATURDAY.

IRAQ'S VICE-PRESIDENT TAHA YASSIN RAMADAN SUNDAY REAFFIRMED IRAQ 
WILL NOT RENEW COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS BEFORE 
IRAQ'S DEMANDS ARE MET -- EVEN, HE SAID, IF MILITARY REPRISALS 
ARE THREATENED. OTHER IRAQI OFFICIALS CALLED FOR RESTRUCTURING 
THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION TO REMOVE MEMBERS IT ACCUSES OF BEING 
AGENTS OF ISRAELI AND U-S INTELLIGENCE SERVICES.

IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IS 
SERVING THE POLICY OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS INDEFINITELY.  AS A RESULT, THEY SAY THERE IS NO POINT 
IN COOPERATING WITH THE INSPECTORS.

///REST OPT.///

THE HARDENING OF POSITIONS IS BEGINNING TO RESEMBLE THE STANDOFF 
OF ONE YEAR AGO, WHICH LED TO A BUILD-UP OF U-S AND BRITISH 
FORCES IN THE REGION AND A THREAT OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ. 
THAT CONFRONTATION EASED WHEN U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN 
BROKERED AN AGREEMENT, WHEREBY IRAQ RESUMED COOPERATION WITH U-N 
INSPECTORS IN RETURN FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE 
INSPECTIONS PROGRAM.

IN SUBSEQUENT MONTHS, NEW CONTRACTS WERE APPROVED ALLOWING IRAQ 
TO TRADE GREATER AMOUNTS OF OIL FOR FOOD, MEDICINE, AND OIL 
INDUSTRY EQUIPMENT. HOWEVER, THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT MAINTAINED THE 
SANCTIONS WERE CAUSING INHUMAN SUFFERING AND DEMANDED DEMANDED 
THEY BE LIFTED COMPLETELY. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/PCF

02-Nov-98 10:39 AM EST (1539 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.