DATE=11/10/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241479
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / ANNAN (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  AT THE UNITED NATIONS, DIPLOMATS SAY THEY DO  NOT  
FORESEE ANY ATTEMPT BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO INTERCEDE 
IN THE LATEST IRAQ CRISIS.  THEY SAY IT IS UP TO IRAQ TO MAKE THE
NEXT MOVE, BY RESUMING COOPERATION WITH U-N ARMS INSPECTORS.  
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE LATEST NEWS FROM OUR 
UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT:  U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS MR. ANNAN HAS  NOT  GIVEN 
UP HOPE FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS WITH IRAQ.  HE 
SAYS IT IS THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL'S JOB TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN 
SUCH HOPE AND TO PRESS FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION.  BUT MR. 
ECKHARD SAYS THE SITUATION CONCERNING IRAQ IS NOW OUT OF MR. 
ANNAN'S HANDS.

                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///

         HE IS CERTAINLY CONCERNED.  HIS PREFERENCE WOULD BE THAT
         THIS STANDOFF BETWEEN THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND IRAQ BE 
         RESOLVED DIPLOMATICALLY.  HE IS IN DAILY TOUCH WITH 
         HEADQUARTERS AS HE TRAVELS THROUGH NORTH AFRICA, AND IS 
         FOLLOWING THE SITUATION VERY CLOSELY.  BUT OF COURSE IT 
         IS OUT OF HIS HANDS.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS THE BEST SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IS WELL 
KNOWN.  IRAQ SHOULD ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO RESUME THEIR 
WORK, HE SAYS, SO THE SECURITY COUNCIL CAN BE ASSURED BAGHDAD  NO
LONGER HAS ANY CAPABILITY TO MANUFACTURE WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION.

MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAVE CONTINUED TO DISCUSS THE
CRISIS AMONG THEMSELVES INFORMALLY, PRIMARILY IN BILATERAL TALKS.
THE COUNCIL IS  NOT  EXPECTED TO TAKE UP THE MATTER FORMALLY 
UNTIL KEY MEMBER STATES -- INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN 
AND RUSSIA -- DECIDE WHAT IF ANY ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO 
ENFORCE COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS REQUIRING THE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT PETER BURLEIGH OF THE UNITED STATES SPOKE TO 
REPORTERS ABOUT THE ISSUE ON TUESDAY.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         THE COUNCIL'S VIEW IS VERY CLEAR ON THIS.  THE 
         SECRETARY-GENERAL IS VERY CLEAR IN PUBLIC -- UNUSUALLY 
         CLEAR IN PUBLIC -- IN HIS OWN STATEMENTS ON THIS, SO I 
         THINK WE ARE ALL WAITING FOR THE IRAQIS TO CHANGE THEIR 
         POSITION AND TO RESCIND THEIR ANNOUNCEMENT, AND TO COME 
         BACK INTO COOPERATION.  THAT IS WHAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS 
         WAITING FOR, AND IT HAS  NOT  HAPPENED.

                         /// END ACT ///

IRAQ SAYS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS USING THE WEAPONS INSPECTION 
PROCESS UNFAIRLY TO MAINTAIN SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR
-- A CHARGE THE COUNCIL DENIES.

REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON AND SOME EUROPEAN CAPITALS INDICATE  
SEVERAL COUNTRIES ARE MOVING CLOSER TO THE MILITARY OPTION IN 
DEALING WITH IRAQ.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW

10-Nov-98 5:36 PM EST (2236 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.