DATE=11/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241724
TITLE=U-N - IRAQ / SUNDAY SECOND UPDATE  (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

                /// EDS:  UPDATES THROUGHOUT ///

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (SUNDAY) ACCEPTED IRAQ'S PLEDGE 
TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  U-N 
HUMANITARIAN WORKERS AND WEAPONS INSPECTORS WILL START RETURNING 
TO IRAQ MONDAY.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON 
REPORTS.

TEXT:  AFTER TWO DAYS OF OFTEN DIFFICULT TALKS, THE SECURITY 
COUNCIL AGREED TO ACCEPT IRAQ'S PROMISE OF RENEWED COOPERATION, 
BUT WARNED THAT NO FURTHER DELAYS IN THE WEAPONS INSPECTION 
PROCESS WILL BE TOLERATED.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT PETER BURLEIGH OF THE UNITED STATES.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         TAKING NOTE OF PAST EXPERIENCE WITH IRAQ, COUNCIL 
         MEMBERS UNDERLINED THAT THEIR CONFIDENCE IN IRAQ'S 
         INTENTIONS NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED BY UNCONDITIONAL AND 
         SUSTAINED COOPERATION WITH THE SPECIAL COMMISSION AND 
         THE I-A-E-A IN EXERCISING THE FULL RANGE OF THEIR 
         ACTIVITIES PROVIDED FOR IN THEIR MANDATES IN ACCORDANCE 
         WITH THE RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS AND THE M-O-U OF 23 
         FEBRUARY 1998.

                         /// END ACT ///

U-S OFFICIALS WARNED THAT THEY WILL MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL 
MILITARY READINESS IN ORDER TO RESPOND QUICKLY IF IRAQ FAILS TO 
COMPLETELY AND UNCONDITIONALLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECURITY 
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.

U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS ARE RETURNING TO IRAQ IMMEDIATELY.  
DIPLOMATS SAY THE INSPECTORS WILL BE THE FIRST TO PUT IRAQ'S 
PLEDGE OF COOPERATION TO THE TEST AS THEY SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE 
THAT BAGHDAD IS MAINTAINING THE CAPABILITY TO PRODUCE WEAPONS OF 
MASS DESTRUCTION.

U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN DESCRIBED THE COUNCIL DECISION 
TO ACCEPT THE IRAQI PLEDGE AS A VICTORY FOR DIPLOMACY AND ORDERED
THE IMMEDIATE RETURN TO IRAQ OF U-N HUMANITARIAN WORKERS.

                        /// ANNAN ACT ///

         IT IS A VICTORY FOR DIPLOMACY AND RESOLVE.  FOR THE 
         CRISIS TO BE PUT PERMANENTLY BEHIND US, IRAQ MUST MOVE 
         SWIFTLY TO ENSURE COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL COMPLIANCE.
         THAT IS THE BEST WAY TOWARDS THE LIFTING OF THE 
         SANCTIONS AND A BETTER LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ.

                         /// END ACT ///

IN ACCEPTING THE IRAQI PLEDGE, THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO
CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS CONNECTED
TO SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER THE GULF WAR.  IRAQ WANTS 
THOSE SANCTIONS LIFTED IMMEDIATELY.

COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY THOSE SANCTIONS CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS CERTIFY THAT IRAQ NO LONGER HAS THE CAPABILITY
TO PRODUCE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

IRAQ HAS ACCUSED THE WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION OF REFUSING TO
RECOGNIZE ITS PROGRESS IN DISARMAMENT AREAS -- AN ACCUSATION THE 
COMMISSION DENIES.  THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW PROMISED BY THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL WILL BE AIMED AT DISPELLING MISUNDERSTANDINGS 
CONCERNING THE WEAPONS INSPECTION PROCESS.

COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THE REVIEW COULD BEGIN WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO, 
IF IRAQ DEMONSTRATES THAT IT REALLY IS WILLING TO COOPERATE 
UNCONDITIONALLY WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/WFR

15-Nov-98 8:22 PM EST (0122 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.