DATE=12/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243427
TITLE=U-S/IRAQ-U-N (L)
BYLINE=BILL RODGERS
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A TOP STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS
WILLING TO CONSIDER EXPANDING THE IRAQI OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM, IF 
THE UNITED NATIONS FINDS IT NECESSARY.  BUT AS V-O-A'S BILL 
RODGERS REPORTS, THE OFFICIAL NOTED IRAQ HAS YET TO TAKE FULL 
ADVANTAGE OF THE CURRENT PROGRAM. 

TEXT:  UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE THOMAS PICKERING SAYS WASHINGTON 
WILL CAREFULLY EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPANDING THE U-N 
OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM -- IF U-N EXPERTS SAY IT IS NECESSARY.  BUT 
MR. PICKERING TOLD REPORTERS TUESDAY IT TOOK IRAQ SEVEN YEARS 
AFTER THE PROGRAM WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO IMPLEMENT IT AS ALLOWED
BY THE UNITED NATIONS.  SINCE THEN, MR. PICKERING SAID, IRAQ HAS 
BEEN SLOW IN PUMPING OIL AND EXPORTING IT, IN RETURN FOR FOOD AND
MEDICINE.  HE ADDS THAT WHATEVER CHANGE IS MADE, WASHINGTON CAN  
NOT  FORCE BAGHDAD TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM.

                      /// PICKERING ACT ///

         THE TRUTH IS THAT THEY EITHER HAVEN'T BOUGHT INTO 
         [SUPPORTED] THE PROGRAM OR ARE VERY, VERY NEGLIGENT IN 
         IMPLEMENTING IT, THAT THEY BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY ... 
         BUT  IT'S TAKEN A LONG TIME TO GET THEM TO DO MORE FOR 
         THEIR OWN PEOPLE.  WE CAN OPEN THE DOOR, BUT WE CAN  NOT
         FORCE THEM TO WALK THROUGH IT.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. PICKERING'S COMMENTS CAME AS U-N SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS 
HELD FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON WHAT TO DO NEXT ABOUT IRAQ, FOLLOWING
THE U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES.  SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE 
CALLED FOR AN END TO SANCTIONS, BUT MR. PICKERING RULED THAT OUT 
TUESDAY.

                  /// SECOND PICKERING ACT ///

         OUR POLICY IS THAT AT THIS STAGE THERE IS A CHOICE.  
         SANCTIONS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT IF THERE IS  NO 
         DISARMAMENT. ... IF THERE IS DISARMAMENT, IF IRAQ 
         FULFILLS ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE SECURITY COUNCIL 
         RESOLUTIONS, THEN, AS WE HAVE ALWAYS SAID, THE ISSUE OF 
         SANCTIONS WILL BE ADDRESSED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN 
         THE CONTEXT OF THOSE RESOLUTIONS. 

                         /// END ACT ///

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ALSO DISMISSED CALLS BY SOME 
SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CHANGE THE ROLE OF THE U-N SPECIAL 
WEAPONS COMMISSION -- UNSCOM -- WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 
SEARCHING FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ.  MR. PICKERING
SAID IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO TRY TO POLITICIZE UNSCOM.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/WFR/WTW

22-Dec-98 4:57 PM EST (2157 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.