DATE=11/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241719
TITLE=U-N - IRAQ / SUNDAY  UPDATE  (S & L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 


INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS CLOSE TO AN 
AGREEMENT ON SENDING U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS BACK TO IRAQ, 
FOLLOWING IRAQ'S PLEDGE TO UNCONDITIONALLY RESUME COOPERATION 
WITH THE INSPECTORS.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX 
RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  BRITAIN'S U-N AMBASSADOR SAYS THE COUNCIL IS QUITE CLOSE 
TO A CONSENSUS ON SENDING THE INSPECTORS BACK TO IRAQ.  A RUSSIAN
DIPLOMAT SAYS HE BELIEVES THERE IS A GLIMPSE OF HOPE THAT THE 
CRISIS WITH IRAQ IS ABOUT TO END.  SLOVENIA'S AMBASSADOR SAYS THE
SITUATION APPEARS TO BE ENTERING A NEW STAGE, IN WHICH IRAQ MUST 
MAKE CLEAR IT WILL CARRY THROUGH WITH ITS PROMISES TO COOPERATE 
WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.

THE APPARENT CONSENSUS AMONG SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOLLOWS 
DIFFICULT TALKS, IN WHICH CHINA, FRANCE AND RUSSIA DISAGREED WITH
THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN OVER WHETHER TO TRUST IRAQ'S 
PROMISE OF COOPERATION.

U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER SAYS HE HAS STARTED 
THE LOGISTICAL PROCESS OF SENDING INSPECTORS BACK TO IRAQ AND 
WILL HAVE THEM THERE WITHIN 24 HOURS, IF THE SECURITY COUNCIL 
ASKS HIM TO DO SO.

                      /// REST OPTIONAL ///

                       /// BUTLER ACT ///

         AS FAR AS MY WORK IS CONCERNED, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS 
         SUPERBLY DEFINED WHAT FULL COOPERATION SHOULD MEAN AND I
         HONESTLY HOPE IRAQ SAYS THAT IS FINE BY US.  AND WHEN 
         THIS IS ALL WRAPPED UP TODAY, I WILL SEND OUR PEOPLE 
         BACK.  I HAVE ALREADY STARTED THE LOGISTICAL PROCESS TO 
         GET THAT DONE, YOU KNOW, WE NEED A PLANE AND OUR 
         AIRCRAFT AND WE NEED TO PLAN IT ALL.

                         /// END ACT ///

U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN AT THE CENTER OF THE LATEST 
CRISIS WITH IRAQ.  IRAQ HALTED COOPERATION WITH THE INSPECTORS ON
OCTOBER 31ST, ACCUSING THE THEM OF REFUSING TO RECOGNIZE IRAQI 
PROGRESS ON DISARMAMENT ISSUES.  UNSCOM DENIES THAT CHARGE.

THE INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE SHOWING THAT IRAQ 
HAS THE CAPABILITY TO DEVELOP WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SAY SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER 
THE GULF WAR CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL UNSCOM CERTIFIES BAGHDAD NO 
LONGER HAS THAT CAPABILITY.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS REPEATEDLY TOLD IRAQ IT WILL CARRY OUT A
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF SANCTIONS-RELATED RESOLUTIONS, IF BAGHDAD
RESUMES COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  THE REVIEW 
WOULD BE DESIGNED TO REMOVE ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS OVER UNSCOM'S 
WORK AND THE REQUIREMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MET BEFORE SANCTIONS 
CAN BE LIFTED.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WFR

15-Nov-98 5:21 PM EST (2221 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.