DATE=11/8/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241372
TITLE=ANNAN / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=JOHN PITMAN
DATELINE=ABIDJAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS URGING 
IRAQ TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  MR. 
ANNAN MADE THE COMMENT IN (THE WEST AFRICAN NATION OF) 
MAURITANIA, DURING A STOP-OVER ON A 10-DAY AFRICAN TOUR.  HIS 
REMARKS ALSO CAME AS THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS CONTINUED TO
PLAN FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.  
V-O-A'S JOHN PITMAN HAS MORE FROM OUR WEST AFRICA BUREAU.

TEXT:  THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL IS IN WEST AFRICA TO PROMOTE A 
PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE DECADES-LONG CONFLICT IN THE WESTERN 
SAHARA.

HOWEVER, DURING A STOP-OVER IN NOAKCHOTT, THE CAPITAL OF 
MAURITANIA, MR. ANNAN TOLD REPORTERS THAT IRAQ'S DECISION TO STOP
COOPERATING WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS IS, IN HIS WORDS, A 
"FLAGRANT VIOLATION" OF U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.

MR. ANNAN SAID THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT SHOULD RECONSIDER ITS 
DECISION, AND RESUME COOPERATION IMMEDIATELY.

/// OPT /// THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE REACTION FROM BAGHDAD. /// END
OPT ///

IRAQ ABRUPTLY CUT TIES WITH THE UNITED NATIONS LATE LAST MONTH.  
BAGHDAD SAYS IT WILL  NOT  ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO 
CONTINUE THEIR WORK UNTIL THE SECURITY COUNCIL SETS A TIME-TABLE 
FOR LIFTING THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS WHICH IT IMPOSED ON BAGHDAD 
AFTER THE IRAQI ARMY INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS RENEWED THOSE SANCTIONS REPEATEDLY, 
ARGUING THAT IRAQ HAS NOT YET COMPLIED WITH RESOLUTIONS DESIGNED 
TO CURTAIL ITS ABILITY TO PRODUCE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

MR. ANNAN TRAVELED TO BAGHDAD EARLIER THIS YEAR TO HELP RESOLVE A
SIMILAR IMPASSE OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.

HOWEVER, IN MAURITANIA ON SUNDAY, MR. ANNAN SAID HE HAS NO PLANS 
TO VISIT IRAQ AGAIN.  HE SAID THE MATTER WAS NOW IN THE HANDS OF 
THE SECURITY COUNCIL --  WHERE SEVERAL OF THE MEMBERS ARE 
MOBILIZING FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ.

ON SUNDAY, BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES CONTINUED TO DRAW UP 
PLANS FOR A POSSIBLE STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ.  PRESIDENT CLINTON MET 
WITH HIS SENIOR SECURITY ADVISORS ON SUNDAY, AND ASKED THEM TO 
PREPARE A LIST OF DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY OPTIONS. (SIGNED)

NEB/JP/JO

08-Nov-98 6:51 PM EST (2351 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.