DATE=1/22/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244532
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ DEADLOCK (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  DIPLOMATS IN THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL SAY 
(FRIDAY) THEY ARE MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS BREAKING THE DEADLOCK 
OVER WHAT TO DO NEXT CONCERNING IRAQ.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS SEVERAL PROPOSALS IN FRONT OF IT 
CONCERNING IRAQ.  RUSSIA HAS SUGGESTED A NEW ARMS CONTROL SYSTEM 
TO REPLACE THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  FRANCE
HAS RAISED THE IDEA OF LIFTING SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER 
THE GULF WAR.

ELEMENTS OF THOSE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN REJECTED BY THE UNITED 
STATES, BRITAIN AND SOME OTHER COUNTRIES ON THE COUNCIL.  THE 
RESULT HAS BEEN A DEADLOCK THAT HAS PREVENTED ANY COUNCIL ACTION 
ON IRAQ SINCE THE BRITISH AND U-S MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST THAT 
COUNTRY IN DECEMBER.

ON FRIDAY, THE COUNCIL CONTINUED TALKS AIMED AT BREAKING THE 
DEADLOCK.  COUNCIL PRESIDENT CELSO NUNEZ AMORIM OF BRAZIL EMERGED
FROM THE MEETING WITH THE FIRST SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SEVERAL 
WEEKS.

                       /// AMORIM ACT ///

         I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO STRESS THAT IT WAS A VERY 
         FRUITFUL DISCUSSION, VERY SUBSTANTIVE AND I HAVE THE 
         IMPRESSION WE ARE ON THE GOOD TRACK, BUT THAT, OF 
         COURSE, IS SOMETHING STILL TO BE SEEN.

                         /// END ACT ///

THAT PROGRESS WAS THE RESULT OF A PROPOSAL FROM COUNCIL-MEMBER 
CANADA SUBMITTED EARLIER IN THE WEEK.  CANADA SUGGESTED A SERIES 
OF PROCEDURAL STEPS, WHICH IT SAYS NEED TO BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE 
ANY DECISIONS ON THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES CAN BE MADE.  IT 
HAS PROPOSED THE FORMATION OF TWO COMMITTEES ... ONE TO EXAMINE 
THE DISARMAMENT SITUATION IN IRAQ, INCLUDING INFORMATION 
COLLECTED BY UNSCOM; THE OTHER TO REVIEW HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS.

ARGENTINA'S AMBASSADOR PROPOSED THAT COUNCIL PRESIDENT AMORIM OF 
BRAZIL HEAD THOSE COMMITTEES, TO ENSURE THE COUNCIL IS FULLY 
INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

BRITISH AMBASSADOR JEREMY GREENSTOCK:

                     /// GREENSTOCK ACT ///

         MOST MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WERE VERY HAPPY WITH THE 
         CANADIAN PROPOSAL AS MODIFIED BY THE ARGENTINE 
         AMBASSADOR TO HAVE A MEETING CHAIRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF
         THE COUNCIL TO ANALYZE AND ASSESS THE MATERIAL THAT 
         COMES OUT OF UNSCOM.  THAT, IN THE MAJORITY'S VIEW, 
         INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM'S VIEW, IS AN ENTIRELY 
         SENSIBLE WAY OF MOVING FORWARD AND GETS US MOVING IN A 
         CONSTRUCTIVE AND FORWARD-LOOKING WAY.

                         /// END ACT ///

DIPLOMATS SAY DIFFERENCES REMAIN OVER WHAT SORT OF A DISARMAMENT 
SYSTEM SHOULD BE USED IN IRAQ IN THE FUTURE.  THEY SAY COUNCIL 
MEMBERS ALL AGREE THAT SOME SORT OF MECHANISM IS NEEDED TO ENSURE
THAT IRAQ DOES NOT DEPLOY OR DEVELOP WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
BUT THEY SAY IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS FOR THE COUNCIL TO MAKE 
PROGRESS ON THAT ISSUE AND THE QUESTION OF WHETHER SANCTIONS 
SHOULD BE EASED OR LIFTED SOON.

IRAQ SAYS IT HAS MET ALL U-N DISARMAMENT REQUIREMENTS AND WANTS 
SANCTIONS LIFTED IMMEDIATELY.  UNSCOM SAYS IRAQ IS CONTINUING TO 
HIDE INFORMATION ABOUT ITS WEAPONS PROGRAMS.  THE UNITED STATES 
AND BRITAIN SAY SANCTIONS CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL ALL QUESTIONS 
REGARDING IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/BA/GE

22-Jan-99 3:50 PM EST (2050 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.