DATE=11/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241501
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N LEAVES (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ORDERED VIRTUALLY ALL OF ITS STAFF
OUT OF IRAQ -- AFTER THE U-S GOVERNMENT SAID MILITARY STRIKES 
AGAINST IRAQ ARE POSSIBLE IN THE LATEST WEAPONS DISPUTE.  V-O-A 
MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS 90 OF THE U-N'S 
STAFF LEFT BAGHDAD WEDNESDAY MORNING.

TEXT:  A U-N SPOKESMAN IN BAGHDAD, ERIC FALT, TOLD REPORTERS THE 
DECISION TO REMOVE U-N PERSONNEL FROM IRAQ WAS TAKEN IN VIEW OF 
WHAT HE CALLED THE UNCERTAINTIES OF THE SITUATION.

                       ///  FALT ACT  ///

         IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO TEMPORARILY RELOCATE 
         NON-ESSENTIAL U-N STAFF TO AMMAN, JORDAN.  THIS 
         INSTRUCTION APPLIES TO ALL U-N STAFF RESIDENT IN 
         BAGHDAD.  THE MEASURE IS PRECAUTIONARY IN NATURE AND IS 
         BEING INSTITUTED SOLELY WITH THE SAFETY OF U-N STAFF IN 
         MIND. 

                        ///  END ACT  ///

THE U-N SPOKESMAN IN BAGHDAD SAID THE EVACUATION WAS ORDERED BY 
U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.  THE ORDER AFFECTS VIRTUALLY ALL OF
THE U-N'S NON-IRAQI STAFF.  IT INCLUDES ALL WEAPONS INSPECTORS 
AND ALL NON-ESSENTIAL WORKERS ADMINISTERING THE DISTRIBUTION OF 
HUMANITARIAN AID IN THE COUNTRY.

AN INITIAL GROUP OF ABOUT 20 WEAPONS INSPECTORS HAD LEFT BAGHDAD 
IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, AFTER THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT SUSPENDED MOST 
MONITORING OF ITS DISARMAMENT PROGRAM.  IRAQ SAID IT WOULD RESUME
COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS ONLY IF ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ ARE ENDED. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF 
MONITORING EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.

IRAQ SUSPENDED INSPECTIONS OF NEW WEAPONS SITES IN AUGUST AND 
ENDED MOST MONITORING ACTIVITIES 12 DAYS AGO.  THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL CALLED THE MOVE UNACCEPTABLE AND SAID COOPERATION WITH 
ITS INSPECTORS IS THE ONLY WAY FOR SANCTIONS TO BE ENDED. 

THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS RESPONDED, SAYING A MILITARY STRIKE 
AGAINST TARGETS IN IRAQ IS ONE OF THE OPTIONS BEING CONSIDERED. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/SB/JWH

11-Nov-98 8:23 AM EST (1323 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.