DATE=11/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241588
TITLE=U-N - IRAQ / THURSDAY (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN RETURNED TO NEW YORK 
(THURSDAY) AFTER CUTTING SHORT A VISIT TO NORTH AFRICA.  BUT HIS 
AIDES SAY HE HAS  NO  PLANS TO GO TO IRAQ TO MEDIATE IN THE 
LATEST CRISIS INVOLVING THAT COUNTRY.  U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX 
RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS MR. ANNAN HAS MADE 
ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET FRIDAY WITH THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO 
DISCUSS IRAQ, BUT OTHERWISE HAS NO PLANS FOR INVOLVEMENT IN THE 
CRISIS.

                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///

         HE DOES NOT AT THIS TIME SEE A POSSIBLE ROLE FOR 
         HIMSELF, SO HE IS REALLY JUST COMING BACK TO GET FULLY 
         ACQUAINTED WITH THE SITUATION.  THAT IS NOT TO SAY HE 
         WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE IF THE COUNCIL ASKED HIM TO DO 
         SOMETHING, BUT AT THE MOMENT HE HAS NO PLANS TO GO TO 
         BAGHDAD.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. ECKHARD SAYS THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WOULD ONLY CONSIDER 
TRAVELING TO BAGHDAD IF SUCH A TRIP IS SUPPORTED BY THE SECURITY 
COUNCIL, AND IRAQ AGREES TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH THE U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION.  HE SAYS NEITHER OF THOSE 
CONDITIONS EXIST AT THIS TIME.

MEANWHILE, THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN DISCUSSING OTHER 
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.  COUNCIL PRESIDENT PETER BURLEIGH, OF THE 
UNITED STATES, SAYS THERE IS LITTLE THE COUNCIL CAN DO AT THIS 
POINT CONCERNING IRAQ.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         EVERYONE IN NEW YORK AGREES THAT THE BALL IS IN IRAQ'S 
         COURT.  IT IS NOT IN THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S COURT AND 
         IT IS NOT IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S COURT IN OUR VIEW.  
         WE ARE WAITING FOR A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM IRAQ, THAT 
         IS WHAT IS MISSING HERE.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE COUNCIL HAS UNANIMOUSLY DEMANDED IRAQ RESUME COOPERATION WITH
THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, BUT SHOWN SOME DIVISION 
OVER WHETHER FORCE SHOULD BE USED IF IRAQ FAILS TO MEET THAT 
DEMAND.  THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT FEELS EXISTING COUNCIL 
RESOLUTIONS ALREADY AUTHORIZE THE USE OF FORCE.

RUSSIA SAYS IT DOES NOT SEE FORCE AS A USEFUL OPTION AT THIS 
TIME.  CHINA AND FRANCE HAVE ALSO BEEN RELUCTANT TO SPEAK OUT IN 
SUPPORT OF THE USE OF FORCE.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE

12-Nov-98 2:36 PM EST (1936 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.