DATE=12/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243386
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ OVERNIGHTER (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HAS SCHEDULED MORE 
TALKS ON IRAQ TUESDAY IN AN EFFORT TO REACH A CONSENSUS ON WHAT 
TO DO NEXT CONCERNING THAT COUNTRY.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE MOST DIVISIVE ISSUE NOW BEFORE THE COUNCIL CONCERNS 
THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  COUNCIL MEMBERS 
AGREE THAT WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ MUST CONTINUE, BUT THEY 
DISAGREE OVER HOW TO CARRY THEM OUT.

RUSSIA, CHINA AND FRANCE HAVE SUGGESTED CHANGING UNSCOM IN AN 
EFFORT TO BUILD A MORE COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH IRAQ IN THE 
SEARCH FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  THE UNITED STATES AND 
BRITAIN SAY THEY FULLY SUPPORT UNSCOM AND HAVE REJECTED THE 
GROWING CRITICISM OF UNSCOM CHIEF, RICHARD BUTLER.

U-S AMBASSADOR PETER BURLEIGH WAS ASKED BY REPORTERS FOR A 
RESPONSE TO IRAQ'S CLAIM THAT UNSCOM IS DEAD.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         WELL WE CERTAINLY HOPE NOT.  I MEAN UNSCOM IS A VERY 
         IMPORTANT MECHANISM OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO ENSURE 
         THE DISARMAMENT OF IRAQ AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO UNSCOM'S 
         EARLY AND FULL RETURN TO IRAQ.

                         /// END ACT ///

AFTER MEETING FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON MONDAY, THE COUNCIL RELEASED A
BRIEF STATEMENT, EXPRESSING ITS INTENTION TO DEAL WITH THE 
QUESTIONS SURROUNDING IRAQ.  COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR THE MONTH OF 
DECEMBER, JASSIM MOHAMMED BUALLAY OF BAHRAIN, READ THE STATEMENT 
ALOUD.

                       /// BUALLAY ACT ///

         THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS IN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING THE 
         APPROACH TO THE IRAQ QUESTION AND HOW BEST TO IMPLEMENT 
         THE RELEVANT SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS AND INTENDS TO
         PURSUE THIS QUESTION ACTIVELY.

                         /// END ACT ///

DIPLOMATS SAY IT COULD BE WEEKS BEFORE THE COUNCIL REACHES 
CONSENSUS ON SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECTS OF THE IRAQ 
ISSUE.  KENYA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NJUGUNA MAHUGU,
SAYS THE COUNCIL IS NOW IN A PERIOD OF SOUL-SEARCHING AND HEALING
AS IT TRIES TO REPAIR DIVISIONS OVER THE U-S AND BRITISH MILITARY
STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.  HE SAYS THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT 
THE COUNCIL SHOULD NOT DWELL ON PAST DISAGREEMENTS, BUT SHOULD 
INSTEAD HEAL ITS WOUNDS AND LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WFR

21-Dec-98 5:06 PM EST (2206 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.