DATE=11/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241647
TITLE=U-N - IRAQ  (S&L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS ARE SEARCHING FOR A 
SOLUTION TO THE IRAQ CRISIS, BUT THEY HAVE  NOT  YET PROPOSED ANY
ALTERNATIVE TO THE USE OF FORCE.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN STARTED THE DAY (FRIDAY) 
WITH A 10-MINUTE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON.  
U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE TWO MEN DISCUSSED IRAQ, BUT DID  NOT  
PROVIDE ANY DETAILS.

MR. ANNAN'S DAY ALSO INCLUDES A JOINT MEETING WITH THE 
AMBASSADORS OF CHINA, RUSSIA AND FRANCE, AT THE REQUEST OF THOSE 
COUNTRIES.  REPRESENTATIVES OF THE THREE COUNTRIES HAVE SPOKEN 
OUT IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL AGAINST THE USE OF FORCE IN DEALING 
WITH IRAQ.  AFTER THAT MEETING, MR. ANNAN HOLDS TALKS ON IRAQ 
WITH THE ENTIRE 15-MEMBER SECURITY COUNCIL.

DIPLOMATS FROM SEVERAL COUNTRIES ON THE COUNCIL SAY THEY ARE  NOT
AWARE OF ANY PROPOSALS THAT WOULD PREVENT A MILITARY 
CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ OR LEAD TO A MEDIATION VISIT TO THAT 
COUNTRY BY MR. ANNAN.

                      /// REST OPTIONAL ///

COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THEY ARE UNIFIED IN STATING THAT THE ONLY 
SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS AT THIS POINT IS FOR IRAQ TO IMMEDIATELY 
RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.

U-S AMBASSADOR PETER BURLEIGH:

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         WHAT I AM SAYING IS THAT PEOPLE HERE IN NEW YORK, BOTH 
         THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAVE 
         TRIED TO UNDERSTAND AND REACT TO IRAQ'S CONCERNS.  AND 
         IRAQ HAS BEEN COMPLETELY INFLEXIBLE, AND TIME AFTER TIME
         HAS CREATED THESE CRISES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE
         UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ.  IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MORE 
         THAN A YEAR NOW.

                         /// END ACT ///

DURING THE LAST CRISIS INVOLVING THE UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ, IN 
FEBRUARY, THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVELLED TO BAGHDAD FOR 
DIRECT TALKS WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.  THAT VISIT LED
TO A TEMPORARY EASING OF TENSION.  BUT SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, 
PARTICULARLY U-S DIPLOMATS, SAY THEY DO  NOT  SEE THE POINT OF 
ANOTHER SUCH VISIT AT THIS TIME.  THEY SAY THE SITUATION NOW IS 
CLEAR-CUT, AND IT IS UP TO IRAQ TO MAKE THE NEXT MOVE IF IT WANTS
TO REDUCE TENSION.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW

13-Nov-98 5:12 PM EST (2212 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.