DATE=11/30/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242287
TITLE=IRAQ SUNDAY (S&L)  CQ
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 


INTRO:  IN IRAQ, U-N INSPECTIONS OF SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES 
CONTINUE, TWO WEEKS AFTER BAGHDAD AGREED TO RESUME COOPERATION 
WITH THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION.  CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB 
REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN CAIRO IRAQI NEWSPAPERS ARE
ACCUSING THE CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR OF SEEKING TO BLOCK A 
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE DISARMAMENT PROGRAM, IN ORDER TO 
MAINTAIN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.  

TEXT:  THE IRAQI NEWS AGENCY ANNOUNCED (SUNDAY) ONE DOZEN U-N 
TEAMS CARRIED OUT 15 INSPECTIONS SATURDAY, INCLUDING SURPRISE 
VISITS AND THE USE OF HELICOPTERS AT SOME SITES.  

THE NEWS AGENCY ALSO SAID INSPECTORS MONITORING IRAQ'S DEFUNCT 
NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM COLLECTED SOIL SAMPLES FROM VARIOUS 
LOCATIONS AROUND BAGHDAD.  

THE REPORT COMES TWO-WEEKS AFTER IRAQ RESUMED COOPERATION WITH 
THE U-N INSPECTORS PROGRAM, REPORTEDLY MINUTES BEFORE AIR STRIKES
WERE TO BE LAUNCHED AGAINST IRAQ.  

BUT A DISPUTE CONTINUES TO SIMMER OVER A REQUEST BY CHIEF U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER FOR DOCUMENTS CONCERNING IRAQI 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  

                     // REST OPT FOR LCR // 

THE NEWSPAPER OF THE RULING AL-BAATH PARTY, "AL-THAWRA", SAID MR.
BUTLER IS DEMANDING DOCUMENTS THAT DO NOT EXIST OR HAVE NO 
RELATION TO THE DISARMAMENT PROCESS.  IT CALLED THE REQUEST AN 
IMPEDIMENT TO A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WHICH THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL HAS PROMISED IF IRAQ COOPERATES FULLY WITH THE 
INSPECTIONS.  

THE "BABIL" NEWSPAPER, WHICH IS OWNED BY PRESIDENT SADDAM 
HUSSEIN'S SON ODAY, SAID MR. BUTLER IS MAKING AN ISSUE OVER THE 
DOCUMENTS IN ORDER TO PORTRAY IRAQ AS UNCOOPERATIVE.  

IRAQ HAS ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENTS OF BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES
OF SEEKING TO PROLONG THE INSPECTIONS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN 
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.  THE TWO GOVERNMENTS LAST WEEK 
ACCUSED IRAQ OF BEING UNCOOPERATIVE BY REFUSING TO HAND OVER THE 
DOCUMENTS.  BUT THEY SAID THE DOCUMENTS ISSUE WAS NOT SERIOUS 
ENOUGH TO WARRANT A MILITARY RESPONSE.   (SIGNED) 

NEB/SB/DW/RAE

30-Nov-98 9:07 AM EST (1407 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.