DATE=12/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243426
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ DISCUSSIONS (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HELD TALKS TODAY 
(TUESDAY) ON A RUSSIAN PROPOSAL THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE AN OVERALL 
ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION CONCERNING IRAQ.  THE ASSESSMENT 
WOULD BE USED IN DEVELOPING A NEW STRATEGY FOR MONITORING IRAQ'S 
ARMS PROGRAM.  V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  RUSSIA HAS SUBMITTED A DRAFT STATEMENT TO THE COUNCIL 
WHICH ASKS U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO SUBMIT AS SOON AS 
POSSIBLE AN OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT SITUATION ON THE 
GROUND IN IRAQ IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RELEVANT 
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.  IN EFFECT, RUSSIA IS LOOKING TO MR. ANNAN 
TO HELP REPAIR DEEP DIVISIONS WITHIN THE COUNCIL OVER HOW TO DEAL
WITH IRAQ.

RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR SERGEI LAVROV:

                       /// LAVROV ACT ///

         FIRST OF ALL WE NEED THE ASSESSMENT ON THE GROUND BY THE
         SECRETARY-GENERAL, THE OVERALL ASSESSMENT, INCLUDING OF 
         THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION, INCLUDING THE DISARMAMENT 
         STAGE AND INCLUDING THE OVERALL SITUATION.

                         /// END ACT ///

IF THE RUSSIAN PROPOSAL IS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL, MR. ANNAN 
WOULD LIKELY HAVE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO RECONSTITUTE THE U-N 
SPECIAL WEAPONS COMMISSION RESPONSIBLE FOR SEARCHING FOR WEAPONS 
OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ.  THE COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY SPLIT OVER
WHAT, IF ANYTHING, SHOULD BE DONE TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF 
THAT COMMISSION.

THE COUNCIL IS ALSO DIVIDED OVER WHETHER TO MAINTAIN AUSTRALIAN 
DIPLOMAT RICHARD BUTLER AS CHAIRMAN OF THE WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION, UNSCOM, AMID CALLS BY SOME SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS 
FOR HIS RESIGNATION.  ON WEDNESDAY, MR. BUTLER DISMISSED CALLS 
FOR HIS RESIGNATION AS AN ATTEMPT TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM 
UNSCOM'S MISSION.

RUSSIA'S PROPOSED STATEMENT FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL ALSO 
EXPRESSES REGRET THAT FORCE WAS USED AGAINST IRAQ.  U-S 
AMBASSADOR PETER BURLEIGH INDICATES THAT ASPECT OF THE STATEMENT 
COULD HOLD UP ITS APPROVAL.

                      /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

         IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT SOME PARTS OF IT WITH REGARD TO
         THE USE OF FORCE FOR EXAMPLE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO MY 
         GOVERNMENT.  WE CERTAINLY REGRET THE FACT THAT FORCE HAD
         TO BE USED IN IRAQ.  AND IT IS CLEAR IN THE COUNCIL THAT
         THERE WILL BE LOTS OF SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGES.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE ITS DISCUSSIONS ON 
IRAQ ON WEDNESDAY.  (SIGNED)





NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

22-Dec-98 4:42 PM EST (2142 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.