DATE=12/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242918
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N SUNDAY (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: SEVERAL DOZEN U-N INSPECTORS LEFT IRAQ SUNDAY AS THE 
LATEST ROUND OF WEAPONS INSPECTIONS BEGINS TO WIND DOWN.  
CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN 
CAIRO THAT ATTENTION IS NOW BEGINNING TO FOCUS ON A REPORT DUE BY
THE END OF THE WEEK ON WHETHER IRAQI OFFICIALS HAVE FULLY 
COMPLIED WITH THE DISARMAMENT PROGRAM.
 
TEXT: THE U-N SPOKESWOMAN IN BAGHDAD CONFIRMED 40 VISITING 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS LEFT THE CAPITAL SUNDAY, BUT SAID 140 
PERMANENT INSPECTORS CONTINUED ABOUT THEIR WORK IN A NORMAL WAY.
 
THE OFFICIAL SAID A REPORT ON IRAQ'S COOPERATION WITH THE U-N 
SPECIAL COMMISSION IS DUE BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.
 
CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER MUST CERTIFY IN THE 
REPORT WHETHER IRAQ HAS FULLY COMPLIED WITH THE INSPECTIONS 
PROGRAM.  IF HE CERTIFIES IRAQ IS COMPLYING, THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL HAS PROMISED TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE 
IRAQI DISARMAMENT PROGRAM.
 
IRAQ HOPES THE REVIEW WILL LEAD THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO 
LIFT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THAT ARE CRIPPLING ITS ECONOMY.
 
MR. BUTLER LAST WEEK SAID U-N INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN HINDERED IN 
THEIR WORK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.  THE MOST SERIOUS OCCURRED LAST 
WEDNESDAY WHEN AN INSPECTIONS TEAM WAS PREVENTED FROM VISITING 
THE LOCAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE RULING BAATH PARTY.
 
A LOCAL PARTY OFFICIAL SAID THE INSPECTORS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED 
TO INSPECT THE FACILITY BECAUSE IT DID NOT CONTAIN ANYTHING 
RELATING TO THEIR WORK. HOWEVER, A SENIOR IRAQI OFFICIAL LATER 
SAID THE INSPECTORS COULD VISIT IF THEY OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM 
THE OWNERS OF WHAT HE CALLED THE PRIVATE PIECE OF PROPERTY.
 
                              ///REST OPT/// 

DIPLOMATIC SOURCES NOTE THE INCIDENTS MIGHT BE INTERPRETED AS 
EVIDENCE OF A LACK OF FULL COMPLIANCE, BUT SAID THEY WERE NOT 
LIKELY TO BE SEEN AS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT MILITARY AIR 
STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.
 
THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS WARNED IT COULD STAGE ATTACKS WITHOUT U-N 
PERMISSION IF IRAQ DOES NOT COMPLY FULLY WITH THE INSPECTORS.
 
IRAQI OFFICIALS ACCUSE THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION OF SEEKING TO 
PROLONG ITS INSPECTIONS INDEFINITELY AND SAY THEY DO NOT EXPECT 
THE SANCTIONS TO BE LIFTED.  (SIGNED)
 
NEB/SB/DW/WFR

13-Dec-98 11:42 AM EST (1642 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.