DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243131
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L-3RD UPDATE)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQ, CHINA AND RUSSIA HAVE APPEALED FOR AN IMMEDIATE END
TO U-S MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ, IN A SPECIAL OPEN MEETING 
OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (WEDNESDAY NIGHT).  
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT:  THE TWO-HOUR MEETING OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL EXPOSED DEEP 
DIVISIONS OVER HOW TO DEAL WITH IRAQ.  RUSSIA SHARPLY CRITICIZED 
THE U-S AND BRITISH MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST THAT COUNTRY, SAYING
THEY HAVE SET BACK EFFORTS TO PREVENT IRAQ FROM DEVELOPING AND 
DEPLOYING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

IRAQI AMBASSADOR NIZAR HAMDOON, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, 
USED THE MEETING TO DENOUNCE THE UNITED STATES.

                 /// HAMDOON INTERPRETER ACT ///

         THE UNITED STATES HAS ONCE AGAIN ABROGATED TO ITSELF THE
         AUTHORITY OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND FLOUTED THE 
         INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
         INDEED IT HAS DISREGARDED THE PRESTIGE OF THE MEMBERS OF
         THE COUNCIL WHO WERE IN SESSION, AND WERE  NOT  ALLOWED 
         EVEN TO COMPLETE THEIR DISCUSSIONS IN LINE WITH THEIR 
         RESPONSIBILITIES IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL 
         PEACE AND SECURITY.

                         /// END ACT ///

CHINA ALSO SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE STRIKES AND JOINED SEVERAL OTHER
COUNTRIES IN PROTESTING THE FACT THAT THEY TOOK PLACE WITHOUT 
PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES DEFENDED THE STRIKES, SAYING ALL 
POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE WEAPONS DISPUTE 
WITH IRAQ WERE EXHAUSTED.  

                        /// REST OPT ///

U-S AMBASSADOR PETER BURLEIGH SAID IRAQ BEARS FULL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE SITUATION.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         THIS ACTION IS A NECESSARY AND PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE TO
         THE CONTINUED REFUSAL OF THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT TO COMPLY 
         WITH THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND THE 
         THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY WHICH IRAQ'S 
         NON-COMPLIANCE REPRESENTS.  IN CARRYING OUT THIS ACTION 
         OUR FORCES HAVE TAKEN APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO DEFEND 
         THEMSELVES FROM ANY INTERFERENCE BY IRAQ, AND HAVE MADE 
         EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT TO AVOID CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AND 
         COLLATERAL DAMAGE.

                         /// END ACT ///

EARLIER (WEDNESDAY), U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN EXPRESSED 
REGRET THAT DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS FAILED TO PREVENT MILITARY STRIKES
AGAINST IRAQ.  HE DESCRIBED IT AS A SAD DAY FOR THE UNITED 
NATIONS AND THE WORLD, BUT DID  NOT  PLACE BLAME FOR THE 
SITUATION ON ANY SPECIFIC PARTY.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/WTW

17-Dec-98 1:02 AM EST (0602 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.