DATE=11/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241131
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ RESOLUTION (S & L) -- UPDATES
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HELD TALKS TODAY (TUESDAY) ON A 
PROPOSED RESOLUTION THAT COULD LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE USE OF 
FORCE AGAINST IRAQ, IF BAGHDAD DOES NOT RESUME COOPERATION WITH 
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX
RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION CONDEMNS IRAQ'S SUSPENSION OF 
COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS AND DEMANDS AN IMMEDIATE 
AND UNCONDITIONAL REVERSAL OF THAT POLICY.  IT ALSO USES WORDS 
THAT DIPLOMATS SAY MARK A FIRST STEP TOWARD JUSTIFYING THE USE OF
FORCE AGAINST IRAQ.  IT DESCRIBES THE SITUATION IN IRAQ AS A 
CONTINUING THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND SAYS BAGHDAD'S 
SUSPENSION IS A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.

THE WORDING IS SIMILAR TO A COUNCIL STATEMENT ISSUED SATURDAY.  
BUT DIPLOMATS SAY ONCE THOSE WORDS ARE IN A RESOLUTION, THEY 
CARRY THE FORCE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS SAY THEY EXPECT THE 
RESOLUTION TO BE APPROVED BEFORE THE END OF THE WEEK.

                      /// REST OPTIONAL ///

COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THEY DO NOT WANT TO ESCALATE THE LATEST 
CRISIS WITH IRAQ BY EXPLICITLY THREATENING MILITARY ACTION.  THEY
SAY THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION IS CAREFULLY WORDED TO KEEP ALL 
OPTIONS OPEN, WHILE MAKING IT CLEAR TO IRAQ THAT THE CURRENT 
SITUATION IS UNACCEPTABLE.

U-S AMBASSADOR PETER BURLEIGH IS PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY 
COUNCIL FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         MY GOVERNMENT, AS YOU KNOW FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON AND 
         OTHER SENIOR LEADERS, HAS NOT RULED OUT ANY OPTIONS 
         HERE.  BUT OUR STRONG PREFERENCE IS TO GO ON A 
         STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS HERE AT THE UNITED NATIONS.  WE 
         WANT THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO TAKE THE LEAD AND TO REACT 
         STRONGLY AND IN A UNITED FASHION TO IRAQ.  WE THINK THAT
         IS THE BEST POLICY AND WE HOPE THE COUNCIL WILL DO THAT.

                         /// END ACT ///

OTHER DIPLOMATS SAY THEY ARE STILL TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH
TO THE SITUATION AS STATEMENTS FROM IRAQI OFFICIALS OVER THE LAST
FEW DAYS HAVE NOT BEEN ENTIRELY CONSISTENT.  SOME IRAQI OFFICIALS
HAVE SAID THEY WILL RESUME COOPERATION ONLY IF SANCTIONS, IMPOSED
AFTER THE GULF WAR, ARE FIRST LIFTED.  OTHERS HAVE INDICATED THE 
SITUATION COULD BE DEFUSED IF THE COUNCIL FIRST CARRIES OUT A 
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING IRAQ.

SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY SUPPORT THE IDEA 
OF SUCH A REVIEW, BUT ONLY AFTER IRAQ RESUMES COOPERATION WITH 
THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION DISCUSSED 
TUESDAY REITERATES THAT POSITION.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/RRM

03-Nov-98 6:33 PM EST (2333 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.