DATE=12/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243270
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ FRIDAY (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS ADOPTING A WAIT-AND-SEE 
ATTITUDE TOWARD IRAQ AND EFFECTIVELY POSTPONING ACTION ON A 
RUSSIAN REQUEST THAT IT CONDEMN THE U-S AND BRITISH STRIKES 
AGAINST IRAQ.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON 
REPORTS.

TEXT:  RUSSIA IS ASKING THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO ISSUE A STATEMENT
CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE END TO THE MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST 
IRAQ.  THE PROPOSED STATEMENT EXPRESSES REGRET AT THE USE OF 
FORCE AGAINST BAGHDAD.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL HELD TALKS ON IRAQ ON FRIDAY BUT DID NOT 
DISCUSS THE PROPOSED STATEMENT.  THE CHIEF U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO 
THE UNITED NATIONS, PETER BURLEIGH, SAYS WASHINGTON HAS SOME 
MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH RUSSIA'S PROPOSED STATEMENT BUT APPRECIATES 
ITS EFFORTS TO FOCUS ON WHAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD DO NEXT.

DISCUSSIONS IN THE COUNCIL FOCUSED ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION 
IN IRAQ AND THE MOVEMENT OF U-N STAFF OUT OF THE COUNTRY.  THE 
COUNCIL APPEARS TO HAVE AVOIDED THE DIFFICULT QUESTION OF WHAT TO
DO ABOUT THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.

RUSSIA AND IRAQ ARE DEMANDING THE RESIGNATION OF UNSCOM CHIEF 
RICHARD BUTLER.  MR. BUTLER SAYS HE IS NOT CONSIDERING THAT 
OPTION.  MR. BURLEIGH SAYS THE UNITED STATES REMAINS A STRONG 
SUPPORTER OF THE UNSCOM CHIEF.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         LET ME BE VERY CLEAR, WE DO NOT WANT AMBASSADOR BUTLER 
         TO RESIGN, PERIOD.  WE THINK HE HAS BEEN A VERY 
         EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL
         COMMISSION UNDER THE MOST EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT 
         SITUATION.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE COUNCIL APPEARS TO BE IN AGREEMENT ON THE NEED FOR UNSCOM TO 
CONTINUE ITS WORK, SEARCHING FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESCTRUCTION IN 
IRAQ.

DIPLOMATS ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL SAY IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE 
COUNCIL WILL TAKE ANY CONCRETE ACTION CONCERNING IRAQ UNTIL 
MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST THAT COUNTRY HAVE CONCLUDED.  THEY SAY A
GREAT DEAL OF DISCUSSION WILL THEN BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE HOW THE
COUNCIL CAN REACH A CONSENSUS ON THE ISSUE.

SINCE THE STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ BEGAN, THE COUNCIL HAS BECOME 
SPLIT INTO TWO MAIN FACTIONS, WITH RUSSIA, FRANCE AND CHINA 
PROTESTING AGAINST THE MILITARY ACTION AND THE UNITED STATES AND 
BRITAIN VOICING SUPPORT FOR IT.  A SIMILAR DIVISION EXISTS OVER 
THE QUESTION OF HOW UNSCOM SHOULD DO ITS WORK AND WHETHER MR. 
BUTLER IS THE BEST PERSON TO LEAD THAT COMMISSION.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MNPR/LSF/RRM

18-Dec-98 5:19 PM EST (2219 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.