DATE=11/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242007
TITLE=IRAQ / AZIZ (S)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF IRAQ -- TARIQ AZIZ -- 
DESCRIBES AS PROVOCATIVE A REQUEST BY UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS TO EXAMINE DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE IRAQI ARMS 
PROGRAM . RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN 
CAIRO ON MR. AZIZ'S FIRST PUBLIC REACTION TO HIS COUNTRY'S LATEST
CONFLICT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.
 
TEXT:  MR. AZIZ TOLD REPORTERS U-N CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR 
RICHARD BUTLER IS SEEKING TO REVIVE OLD PROBLEMS BY REQUESTING 
ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS ABOUT IRAQI WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT.  
 
MR. AZIZ SAYS SOME OF THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS DO NOT EVEN EXIST. 
THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SAYS MR. BUTLER'S REQUEST IS EITHER A 
SUPERFICIAL PRETEXT TO JUSTIFY AMERICAN AGGRESSION OR AN ATTEMPT 
TO CONFUSE AND UNDERMINE THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.  STILL, U-N 
INSPECTORS ARE CARRYING OUT THEIR PROGRAM OF CHECKING WEAPON 
SITES, INCLUDING AN UNANNOUNCED VISIT TO ONE SITE.
 
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS MUST CERTIFY IRAQ IS FREE OF WEAPONS OF 
MASS DESTRUCTION BEFORE SANCTIONS IMPOSED SINCE THE GULF WAR ARE 
LIFTED.  (SIGNED) 

NEB / WD / WD

NEB/RHE/DW

22-Nov-98 6:08 AM EST (1108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.