DATE=11/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241329
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / NEXT STEP (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE 
WHAT TO DO NEXT ABOUT IRAQ.  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY
APPROVED A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING IRAQ'S HALTING OF COOPERATION 
WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION.  BUT IRAQ HAS ALREADY
REJECTED THAT RESOLUTION.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT 
MAX RUSTON HAS A REPORT.

TEXT:  THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS MADE ITS POSITION CLEAR ON AT 
LEAST ONE ISSUE ... IN DEMANDING THAT IRAQ IMMEDIATELY RESUME 
COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION.

THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN LESS CLEAR ON THE POSSIBLE USE OF FORCE TO 
DEAL WITH IRAQ IF THAT DEMAND IS NOT MET.  WHILE MOST COUNCIL 
MEMBERS AGREE THE LATEST RESOLUTION IS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE 
USE OF FORCE, THE RESOLUTION ITSELF DOES NOT EXPLICITLY MENTION 
IT.  IN FACT RUSSIA HAS SAID CLEARLY IT VIEWS MILITARY ACTION AT 
THIS STAGE AS POINTLESS IN RESOLVING THE CRISIS.

DIPLOMATS SAY THAT MAY BE THE LIMIT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S 
ACTION ON THE ISSUE, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.  THEY SAY IT IS
NOW UP TO INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENTS TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION THEY 
FEEL IS APPROPRIATE.

BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE ALREADY BEGUN MEETING WITH THE
LEADERS OF MIDDLE EAST NATIONS IN AN EFFORT TO STEP UP PRESSURE 
ON IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN TO COOPERATE WITH THE UNITED 
NATIONS.  THERE ARE ALSO SIGNS THOSE TWO NATIONS ARE WORKING 
CLOSELY WITH FRANCE TO ADOPT A COORDINATED APPROACH TO THE 
PROBLEM.

IF THEY FAIL TO MAKE PROGRESS, DIPLOMATS SAY, THE ISSUE MAY THEN 
RETURN TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, WHICH COULD APPROVE A STRONGER 
RESOLUTION EXPLICITLY MENTIONING THE USE OF FORCE.

ANOTHER OPTION WOULD BE TO ENLIST U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI 
ANNAN'S ASSISTANCE, AS WAS DONE IN A SIMILAR CRISIS IN FEBRUARY. 
BUT, DIPLOMATS SAY THEY SUSPECT THAT WOULD JUST GIVE IRAQ AN 
OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER DELAY THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION PROCESS.

IRAQ HAS ITS OWN PROPOSAL FOR A SOLUTION ... THAT THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL END THE INSPECTION PROCESS AND LIFT SANCTIONS 
IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR.  THE COUNCIL REMAINS UNITED IN ITS 
OPPOSITION TO THAT PROPOSAL, AMID FEARS THAT BENEATH ALL THE 
POLITICAL BARGAINING, IRAQ MAY STILL BE HIDING THE CAPABILITY TO 
DEVELOP OR DEPLOY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

06-Nov-98 5:16 PM EST (2216 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.