DATE=11/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242053
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ DOCUMENTS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQ IS CONTINUING TO REJECT REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 
FROM THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  U-N 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS THE LATEST IRAQI RESPONSE CAME 
IN A LETTER TODAY (MONDAY) TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.

TEXT:  THE 18-PAGE LETTER ACCUSES UNSCOM CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER 
OF MAKING UNFOUNDED CHARGES AGAINST IRAQ AND PUTTING FORWARD 
REQUESTS THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO SATISFY.  IT SAYS MR. BUTLER IS 
DOING SO TO PROLONG THE WEAPONS INSPECTION PROCESS BY, IT SAYS, 
HAVING AN ENDLESS GAME TO SHOW IRAQ IS AT FAULT.  THE LETTER IS 
SIGNED BY IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ.

IT IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF IRAQI RESPONSES TO MR. BUTLER'S 
REQUESTS FOR ABOUT ONE-DOZEN DOCUMENTS RELATED TO BAGHDAD'S 
PROGRAMS FOR MISSILES, AND CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.

IN HIS LETTER, MR. AZIZ PROVIDES A DETAILED RESPONSE CONCERNING 
EACH REQUESTED DOCUMENT.  HE SAYS SOME HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, SOME 
NEVER EXISTED, AND OTHERS ARE NOT RELEVANT TO THE INSPECTION 
PROCESS.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAD NO IMMEDIATE FORMAL RESPONSE TO THE 
IRAQI LETTERS.  BUT DIPLOMATS SAY THEY WILL EXAMINE THE ISSUE 
CLOSELY TO SEE IF IRAQ IS VIOLATING ITS PLEDGE, MADE EARLIER THIS
MONTH, TO COOPERATE UNCONDITIONALLY WITH UNSCOM.

IRAQI AMBASSADOR NIZAR HAMDOON SPOKE TO REPORTERS AFTER 
DELIVERING THE LETTER TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

                       /// HAMDOON ACT ///

         WE WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR TO THE COUNCIL THAT IRAQ IS IN 
         NO WAY SHOWING ANY SIGN OF NON-COOPERATION.  IRAQ WANTS 
         TO COOPERATE, BECAUSE IT WANTS TO FINISH THE WHOLE JOB, 
         OF THE WORK OF UNSCOM.

                         /// END ACT ///

IF THE SECURITY COUNCIL OR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL VIEW
THE IRAQI RESPONSES AS AN ATTEMPT TO BLOCK THE WORK OF UNSCOM, 
THAT COULD OPEN THE WAY TO NEW THREATS OF MILITARY STRIKES 
AGAINST IRAQ.

IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY THEY WANT THE UNITED NATIONS TO BEGIN A 
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF U-N RESOLUTIONS RELATED TO SANCTIONS AND 
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  THEY SAY IT IS UNFAIR FOR UNSCOM TO REQUEST
MORE INFORMATION AHEAD OF THAT REVIEW.  SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS 
SAY THEY HAVE AGREED TO CARRY OUT SUCH A REVIEW ONLY AFTER IRAQ 
DEMONSTRATES FULL COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM.  AND THAT, SOME 
MEMBERS SAY, INCLUDES MEETING THE LATEST UNSCOM REQUESTS FOR 
DOCUMENTS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE

23-Nov-98 2:43 PM EST (1943 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.