DATE=12/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243086
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L-UPDATE) 
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HELD TALKS ON IRAQ TODAY 
(WEDNESDAY) AND WILL CONTINUE MEETING ON THE ISSUE DURING THE 
NEXT FEW HOURS.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED 
NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT:  THE FIRST HOURS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING WERE DOMINATED BY 
RUSSIA'S CRITICISM OF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER
AND HIS REPORT THAT SAYS IRAQ HAS FAILED TO COOPERATE WITH THE 
INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM. 

RUSSIA HAS ALSO CRITICIZED MR. BUTLER'S DECISION TO WITHDRAW 
INSPECTION STAFF FROM IRAQ WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING WITH THE 
COUNCIL.  RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAVE INDICATED THEY WOULD PREFER MR. 
BUTLER TO RESIGN.

MR. BUTLER'S CONCLUSIONS HAVE FUELED REPORTS THAT THE UNITED 
STATES AND BRITAIN ARE PREPARING MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ IN
AN EFFORT TO PREVENT BAGHDAD FROM DEVELOPING WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION.

RUSSIA HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST VOCAL OPPONENTS IN THE SECURITY 
COUNCIL OF SUCH STRIKES.  CHINA AND FRANCE HAVE, IN THE PAST, 
ALSO OPPOSED SUCH MEASURES.  THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE 
BEEN THE STRONGEST SUPPORTERS OF MILITARY STRIKES.

MEANWHILE, IRAQ'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NIZAR 
HAMDOON, ON WEDNESDAY REJECTED MR. BUTLER'S FINDINGS AND SAID 
IRAQ HAS OFFERED FULL COOPERATION.  MR. HAMDOON ACCUSED UNSCOM OF
TAKING ORDERS FROM THE UNITED STATES.

                       /// HAMDOON ACT ///

         I THINK THAT THE WHOLE WORK OF UNSCOM, ESPECIALLY OVER 
         THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WAS HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY THE UNITED
         STATES IN ORDER TO REACH OUT TO THIS CONCLUSION OF MR. 
         BUTLER'S REPORT THAT IRAQ WAS NON-COOPERATIVE, WHICH IS 
         NOT FACTUAL, WHICH IS AGAINST THE FACTS THAT HAVE 
         EMERGED ON THE GROUND DURING THE LAST THREE WEEKS.

                         /// END ACT ///

U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN, WHO DOES NOT USUALLY ATTEND 
SECURITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, WAS PRESENT IN THE WEDNESDAY MEETING. 
HE HAS INTERVENED TWICE IN CRISES INVOLVING IRAQ THIS YEAR AND 
EACH TIME WAS CREDITED WITH PREVENTING A MILITARY CONFRONTATION. 
MR. ANNAN HAS SHOWN SOME RELUCTANCE TO INTERVENE IN THE LATEST 
CRISIS, SAYING IT IS UP TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO DECIDE WHAT TO
DO NEXT.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RRM

16-Dec-98 3:01 PM EST (2001 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.