DATE=12/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242967
TITLE=U-N / ANNAN / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS URGING IRAQ TO MOVE 
FORWARD WITH ITS DISARMAMENT OBLIGATIONS AND STOP ITS VERBAL 
ATTACKS AGAINST U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  HE MADE THE REMARKS 
(MONDAY) IN A NEWS CONFERENCE AT U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.  
U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  MR. ANNAN SEES NO PLACE FOR ANGRY RHETORIC IN THE 
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  HE DENOUNCED WHAT HE CALLED -- MEGAPHONE 
DIPLOMACY -- AND SAID ACCUSATIONS AGGRAVATE RELATIONS BETWEEN TWO
PARTIES THAT HAVE WORK TO DO.

                        /// ANNAN ACT ///

         I DO NOT CONDONE WHAT IRAQ HAS BEEN SAYING NOR SHOULD 
         THEY HAVE SAID IT.  I JUST WANT THEM TO GET ON WITH THE 
         JOB, GET ON WITH DISARMAMENT, COOPERATE WITH UNSCOM AND 
         GET IT DONE.

                         /// END ACT ///

IRAQ HAS ACCUSED UNSCOM OF FAILING TO REPORT PROGRESS MADE IN THE
DISARMAMENT PROCESS -- THE KEY REQUIREMENT FOR THE LIFTING OF 
SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR.  IT HAS ALSO CHARGED THAT 
UNSCOM IS BEING USED AS AN ESPIONAGE TOOL BY ISRAEL AND THE 
UNITED STATES.

UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER HAS DENIED THOSE CHARGES, AND 
EMPHASIZED HE WORKS ONLY FOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.  HE HAS 
ALSO BEEN A VOCAL CRITIC OF IRAQ, ACCUSING IT OF TRYING TO 
DECEIVE THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.

MR. ANNAN INDICATED HE HAS ASKED MR. BUTLER TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS 
WITH THE WORDS HE USES.

                        /// ANNAN ACT ///

         NOW AS I HAVE INDICATED, HE [BUTLER] HAS A RATHER 
         DIFFICULT JOB AND IN THIS JOB THERE IS A LOT OF TENSION.
         WE ARE ALL HUMAN.  WHEN WE ARE UNDER TENSION WE SAY OR 
         DO THINGS WE WOULD NORMALLY NOT DO, AND I HAVE DISCUSSED
         THIS WITH RICHARD BUTLER.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. ANNAN'S REMARKS COME AT A PARTICULARLY TENSE MOMENT IN 
RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAQ AND UNSCOM.  IRAQ HAS ASKED THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL TO CARRY OUT A REVIEW OF UNSCOM'S PRACTICES AND 
FINDINGS.  

THE COUNCIL HAS SAID IT WILL DO SO ONLY IF IRAQ FIRST 
DEMONSTRATES FULL COOPERATION WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION.  LAST WEEK, UNSCOM ACCUSED IRAQ OF BLOCKING 
INSPECTIONS IN BAGHDAD.  IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT IMPACT THAT 
INCIDENT WILL HAVE ON UNSCOM'S OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF COOPERATION.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO DECIDE LATER THIS WEEK 
WHETHER TO AUTHORIZE THE REVIEW.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE

14-Dec-98 2:56 PM EST (1956 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.