DATE=11/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242035
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL ENVOY TO IRAQ, PRAKASH SHAH, 
HAS RETURNED TO BAGHDAD, AS A DISPUTE CONTINUES OVER IRAQ'S 
REFUSAL TO HAND OVER SOME DOCUMENTS DEMANDED BY U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS.  V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS 
THAT IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE HANDED OVER ALL THE RELEVANT 
DOCUMENTS.

TEXT:  U-N SPECIAL ENVOY PRAKASH SHAH ARRIVED MONDAY IN BAGHDAD 
FROM BAHRAIN, ACCOMPANIED BY ADDITIONAL WEAPONS INSPECTORS.

THE U-N DIPLOMAT TOLD REPORTERS HE EXPECTS TO MEET WITH IRAQI 
OFFICIALS, BUT HAD  NO  COMMENT ON THE LATEST CONFRONTATION.

                       ///  SHAH ACT  ///

         AS PART OF MY CONTINUING ASSIGNMENT, I EXPECT TO MEET 
         WITH HIGH AUTHORITIES AT THE POLITICAL LEVEL.  AND I 
         WILL SPEAK TO THE MEDIA IN DUE COURSE IF I HAVE 
         SOMETHING TO SAY.  AT THIS MOMENT, I HAVE  NO  STATEMENT
         TO MAKE. 

                        ///  END ACT  ///

CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER OVER THE WEEKEND 
REQUESTED SENSITIVE IRAQI DOCUMENTS.  BUT IRAQ BALKED AT THE 
REQUEST.  SENIOR IRAQI OFFICIALS SAID THEY HAVE TURNED OVER MORE 
THAN TWO-MILLION PAGES OF DOCUMENTS AND SAID THE REQUESTED 
RECORDS DO  NOT  EXIST.

IRAQI SOURCES SAY SOME OF THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS ARE AIR FORCE 
RECORDS OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS STOCKS USED IN THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR 
DURING THE 1980'S.  REPORTS SAY IRAQI OFFICIALS ARE WILLING TO  
ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS TO SEE THE DOCUMENTS, BUT ONLY IN THE 
PRESENCE OF THE SPECIAL ENVOY.

MEANWHILE, THE POPULAR CAMPAIGN CONTINUED IN IRAQ AGAINST THE U-N
SPECIAL COMMISSION.  THE NEWSPAPER OF THE RULING BA'ATH PARTY, 
AL-THAWRA, MONDAY ACCUSED THE COMMISSION OF SEEKING WHAT IT 
CALLED EXEMPLARY PUNISHMENT OF IRAQ.

IRAQI OFFICIALS ACCUSED THE COMMISSION OF WAGING A DISINFORMATION
CAMPAIGN IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS INDEFINITELY AND
BRING ABOUT U-S LED AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.

U-S FORCES REPORTEDLY WERE WITHIN MINUTES OF LAUNCHING SUCH AIR 
STRIKES NINE DAYS AGO, WHEN IRAQ ANNOUNCED IT WAS RESUMING 
COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  THE STRIKES WERE  
CALLED OFF, BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY RESERVE THE RIGHT TO  
STRIKE WITHOUT WARNING IF IRAQ REFUSES TO COOPERATE WITH THE 
WEAPONS INSPECTION PROGRAM.

THE LATEST DISPUTE HAS AGAIN RAISED THE PROSPECT OF AIR STRIKES, 
BUT U-N OFFICIALS SAY SUCH SPECULATION IS PREMATURE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/JWH

23-Nov-98 9:10 AM EST (1410 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.