DATE=11/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241661
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HELD LENGTHY TALKS WITH U-N 
SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN LATE FRIDAY IN AN EFFORT TO FIND A 
NON-MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE LATEST CRISIS WITH IRAQ.  V-O-A'S 
UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY.

TEXT:  AFTER FIVE HOURS OF TALKS, A TIRED-LOOKING MR. ANNAN SPOKE
TO THE MEDIA AND REPEATED HIS APPEAL FOR IRAQ TO RESUME 
COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.

                        /// ANNAN ACT ///

         IF THEY DID, AS THE COUNCIL HAS ALREADY INDICATED, WE 
         WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND ONCE 
         IRAQ HAS RESCINDED [ITS POLICY OF NON-COOPERATION] AND 
         [THE COUNCIL HAS] DONE THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW, 
         HOPEFULLY IN A REASONABLE PERIOD, AND THEN THEY [IRAQ] 
         WILL HAVE TO COOPERATE WITH UNSCOM.  ONCE THAT IS DONE, 
         I TRUST THE COUNCIL WILL BE IN A POSITION TO LIFT THE 
         SANCTIONS.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. ANNAN IS SENDING A LETTER TO THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP OUTLINING 
THE APPEAL.  U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE LETTER DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY 
CONCRETE PROMISES CONCERNING SANCTIONS BUT DOES PLEDGE A FULL AND
FAIR REVIEW OF RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS.

COUNCIL MEMBERS LEFT THE MEETING WITH A PUBLIC STATEMENT OF 
SUPPORT FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, AS EXPRESSED BY COUNCIL 
PRESIDENT PETER BURLEIGH OF THE UNITED STATES.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         WE HAD A LONG DISCUSSION OF THE IRAQ SITUATION WITH THE 
         SECRETARY-GENERAL.  WE REITERATED OUR STRONG SUPPORT AND
         ENDORSEMENT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S APPEAL OF 
         NOVEMBER 11 TO THE IRAQI AUTHORITIES.

                         /// END ACT ///

THERE WERE SOME SIGNS OF DIVISION AMONG COUNCIL MEMBERS OVER HOW 
TO DEAL WITH THE IRAQ SITUATION.  RUSSIA TRIED TO CONVINCE OTHER 
COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT A MORE ACTIVE MEDIATION ROLE BY THE 
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL -- A SUGGESTION THAT DID NOT RECEIVE WIDE 
SUPPORT.  THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR SAID HIS COUNTRY HAS DETECTED 
WHAT HE CALLED A CONSTRUCTIVE SHIFT IN IRAQI POLICIES ... AN 
INDICATION IRAQ MAY BE WILLING TO BACK DOWN FROM ITS REFUSAL TO 
COOPERATE WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.

CHINA'S AMBASSADOR LEFT THE MEETING URGING ALL PARTIES TO SHOW 
RESTRAINT.  HE SAID CHINA BELIEVES THERE IS STILL AN OPPORTUNITY 
FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE CRISIS.

THE MEETING ENDED WITHOUT A COUNCIL REQUEST FOR MR. ANNAN TO 
TRAVEL TO BAGHDAD TO MEDIATE IN THE CRISIS AND WITHOUT ANY 
SUBSTANTIALLY NEW INITIATIVES.  DIPLOMATS SAY IT REMAINS UP TO 
IRAQ TO DEFUSE THE CRISIS.

IRAQI AMBASSADOR NIZAR HAMDOON TOLD REPORTERS HIS GOVERNMENT IS 
WILLING TO WORK WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL, BUT ONLY IF IT 
RECEIVES GUARANTEES THAT A REVIEW OF RESOLUTIONS TAKES PLACE AND 
THAT IT IS CARRIED OUT IN A FAIR AND OBJECTIVE MANNER.

THE COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO MEET AGAIN SATURDAY TO CONTINUE 
DISCUSSING THE SITUATION.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/PLM

14-Nov-98 12:01 AM EST (0501 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.