DATE=11/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241065
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L - ONLY) -- UPDATE
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO MEET TODAY 
(TUESDAY) FOR FURTHER CONSULTATIONS ON IRAQ, FOLLOWING THAT 
COUNTRY'S HALTING OF COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  
V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE COUNCIL'S FIRST RESPONSE, ON SATURDAY, WAS TO DENOUNCE
IRAQ'S HALTING OF COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION.  AT ITS NEXT MEETING ON THE ISSUE, THE COUNCIL IS 
EXPECTED TO DISCUSS WHAT, IF ANY, FURTHER ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN.

DIPLOMATS SAY OPTIONS INCLUDE FURTHER CONDEMNATIONS, THE USE OF 
FORCE, STRONGER SANCTIONS AND COMPROMISE.

THE CHOICE IS DIFFICULT.  BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE 
WARNED THAT A MILITARY RESPONSE IS BEING CONSIDERED, BUT 
DIPLOMATS SAY NOBODY IS EAGER FOR THAT OPTION.  SANCTIONS IN 
PLACE ARE ALREADY AMONG THE STRONGEST IN FORCE ANYWHERE IN THE 
WORLD.  IT IS DOUBTFUL WHETHER STRENGTHENING THEM WOULD HAVE MUCH
IMPACT ON IRAQI GOVERNMENT POLICY.  COMPROMISE HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED
MANY TIMES IN THE PAST, WITHOUT LASTING SUCCESS.  AND, AS EVEN 
SENIOR OFFICIALS AT THE UNITED NATIONS ADMIT, FURTHER 
CONDEMNATION WILL DO LITTLE TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS.

AT THE VERY LEAST, DIPLOMATS SAY, THE COUNCIL WILL LIKELY 
FORMALIZE, AS A RESOLUTION, ITS STATEMENT ISSUED SATURDAY, IN 
WHICH IT DESCRIBED THE IRAQI ACTION AS A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF 
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.  SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THAT WOULD HELP 
LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR ANY POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION.

DIPLOMATS SAY IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THE COUNCIL WILL CALL ON U-N 
SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN FOR ASSISTANCE.  MR. ANNAN HELPED 
NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT TO A CRISIS WITH IRAQ IN FEBRUARY.  IN THE
LATEST CRISIS, HE HAS DENOUNCED IRAQ FOR VIOLATING SECURITY 
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.  BUT HE HAS  NOT  RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY 
OF PERSONALLY ATTEMPTING TO NEGOTIATION A SOLUTION.  HE SAYS 
WHETHER HE GETS INVOLVED IS A MATTER FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO 
DETERMINE.

MR. ANNAN SPOKE WITH IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ ON 
THE TELEPHONE OVER THE WEEKEND.  ON MONDAY HE HELD MEETINGS WITH 
CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER AND U-S AMBASSADOR 
PETER BURLEIGH, WHO SERVES AS PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL 
IN NOVEMBER.  NO DETAILS FROM THOSE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN RELEASED, 
BUT IT LIKELY THEY HAVE PUT MR. ANNAN IN A GOOD POSITION TO ACT 
AS A FACILITATOR FOR ANY COMPROMISE PROPOSALS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/PT

02-Nov-98 5:32 PM EST (2232 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.