DATE=11/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241968
TITLE=IRAQ / WEAPONS INSPECTIONS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQ IS OBJECTING (FRIDAY) TO UNITED NATIONS REQUESTS FOR
MORE DOCUMENTS CONCERNING ITS WEAPONS PROGRAMS.  V-O-A'S MAX 
RUSTON HAS THE STORY FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT:  THE OBJECTION CAME IN A LETTER TO U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION 
CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER FROM AN IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL.  
THE OFFICIAL, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER 
TARIQ AZIZ, DESCRIBES MR. BUTLER'S REQUESTS FOR MORE DOCUMENTS AS
PROVOCATIVE AND UNPROFESSIONAL.  HE SAYS MR. BUTLER'S REQUESTS 
APPEAR TO BE DESIGNED TO UNJUSTIFIABLY PROLONG THE WEAPONS 
INSPECTION PROCESS.

MR. BUTLER WAS ASKING PRIMARILY FOR DOCUMENTS SEEN BY HIS 
INSPECTORS DURING SEARCHES IN IRAQ.  INSPECTORS ARE SEARCHING FOR
ANY INFORMATION INDICATING THAT IRAQ IS MAINTAINING A CAPABILITY 
TO PRODUCE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, IN VIOLATION OF SECURITY 
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.

THE PROTEST IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND SINCE IRAQ AGREED LAST 
WEEKEND TO COOPERATE UNCONDITIONALLY WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  THE UNITED STATES WAS PREPARED TO LAUNCH A 
MILITARY STRIKE IF IRAQ HAD  NOT  AGREED TO COOPERATE.

U-S AND BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE MAINTAINING THE CAPABILITY
FOR SUCH STRIKES, IN CASE IRAQ FAILS TO KEEP ITS PLEDGE OF 
COOPERATION.

DIPLOMATS SAY IRAQ APPEARS TO BE TESTING THE LIMITS OF WHAT THE 
UNITED NATIONS WILL TOLERATE IN TERMS OF OBSTRUCTION AND DELAYS 
IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  THEY SAY UNSCOM IS ALSO EXPECTED TO 
TEST IRAQ'S LIMITS, BY CARRYING OUT INSPECTIONS THAT ARE MORE 
AGGRESSIVE AND INTRUSIVE THAN THOSE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY 
BEFORE THE LATEST CRISIS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW

20-Nov-98 4:35 PM EST (2135 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.