DATE=12/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243051
TITLE=IRAQ  / BRITAIN (L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  BRITAIN IS TAKING THE U-N INSPECTORS' REPORT VERY 
SERIOUSLY ABOUT IRAQ'S LACK OF COOPERATION.  AFTER THE LAST 
CONFRONTATION, BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES SAID THEY WOULD 
CARRY OUT AIR STRIKES WITH NO MORE WARNINGS TO SADDAM HUSSEIN.  
V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THAT 
TENSIONS HAVE INCREASED QUICKLY.

TEXT:  BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK TOLD BRITISH RADIO 
THAT HIS GOVERNMENT IS TAKING VERY SERIOUSLY THE U-N INSPECTORS' 
REPORT THAT SADDAM HUSSEIN IS NOT COOPERATING AS HE HAD PROMISED.

                       ///  COOK ACT  ///

         IT IS QUITE CLEAR FROM THE REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF 
         UNSCOM, RICHARD BUTLER, THAT HE  (SADDAM HUSSEIN)  HAS  
         NOT  KEPT TO THAT COMMITMENT.  INDEED FAR FROM ALLOWING 
         UNCONDITIONAL AND UNRESTRICTED ACCESS, THE REPORT DOES 
         DETAIL NEW RESTRICTIONS THAT HE HAS INVENTED.

                        ///  END ACT  ///

MR. COOK SAYS THE REPORT SHOWS SADDAM HUSSEIN IS NOW REQUIRING 
LETTERS FROM U-N INSPECTORS DETAILING WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR 
BEFORE THEY WILL BE ALLOWED INTO CERTAIN SITES. 

LAST MONTH, THE IRAQI LEADER PROMISED UNCONDITIONAL ACCESS FOR 
THE U-N INSPECTORS.  BAGHDAD HAS CONDEMNED THE NEGATIVE U-N 
REPORT AND CALLS  IT AN EXCUSE TO CARRY OUT AIR STRIKES.

BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY REFUSES TO GIVE ANY MORE PUBLIC 
WARNINGS TO SADDAM HUSSEIN.   ALL HE WILL SAY IS THAT WASHINGTON 
AND LONDON ARE CONSULTING.  

THE OTHER PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL -- FRANCE, 
RUSSIA AND CHINA -- HAVE USUALLY OPPOSED MILITARY ATTACKS AGAINST
IRAQ.  MR. COOK SAYS PREVIOUS U-N RESOLUTIONS GIVE THE AUTHORITY 
FOR SUCH ACTION WITHOUT THE NEED OF  A  VOTE ON THE ISSUE.

                     ///  COOK ACT TWO  ///

         ON THE BASIS OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS, THERE 
         CERTAINLY WOULD BE SUCH LEGAL AUTHORITY AND WE ARE  NOT 
         CONTEMPLATING ANY ACTION THAT WE HAVE ANY REASON TO 
         BELIEVE IS ILLEGAL.

                        ///  END ACT  ///

U-N WEAPONS MONITORS IN BAGHDAD ARE BEING EVACUATED, JUST IN 
CASE. (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/JWH

16-Dec-98 6:36 AM EST (1136 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.