DATE=2/3/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245056
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / STAFF (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS HAS (WEDNESDAY) ORDERED ITS BRITISH 
AND U-S NATIONALS TO LEAVE IRAQ FOLLOWING WARNINGS FROM BAGHDAD 
THAT IT CANNOT ENSURE THEIR SAFETY.  UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT
MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  BAGHDAD BEGAN DEMANDING THE REMOVAL OF ALL U-S AND BRITISH
NATIONALS WORKING FOR THE UNITED NATIONS IN IRAQ IN EARLY 
JANUARY, SHORTLY AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF U-S AND BRITISH MILITARY
STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.  

U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS ASKED IRAQ TO 
REVERSE THAT POLICY.  HE SAYS IRAQ FAILED TO RESPOND TO THAT 
REQUEST, LEAVING THE UNITED NATIONS NO CHOICE BUT TO REMOVE ITS 
U-S AND BRITISH NATIONALS FROM THE COUNTRY.

                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///

         THIS FOLLOWS THE AIDE-MEMOIR FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ
         TO THE U-N ON THE FOURTH OF JANUARY, SAYING THAT IT WAS 
         UNABLE TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF U-S AND U-K NATIONALS 
         SERVING WITH THE U-N IN IRAQ.  THE OFFICE OF LEGAL 
         AFFAIRS REPLIED THE NEXT DAY REMINDING THE GOVERNMENT OF
         ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY 
         OF ALL UNITED NATIONS PERSONNEL IN IRAQ.  THERE HAS BEEN
         NO WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AIDE-MEMOIR.

                         /// END ACT ///

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE DECISION AFFECTS ONLY TWO U-N EMPLOYEES IN 
IRAQ, BOTH OF THEM U-S NATIONALS.  OTHER BRITISH AND U-S STAFF 
HAVE GRADUALLY LEFT THE COUNTRY DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS.  THERE
WERE ABOUT 20 U-S AND BRITISH STAFF IN IRAQ, MOST OF THEM 
HUMANITARIAN OR ADMINISTRATIVE WORKERS, AT THE TIME BAGHDAD 
ISSUED ITS DEMAND.

MR. ECKHARD SAYS IRAQ SAID IT WOULD ALLOW THREE U-S AND BRITISH 
STAFF TO REMAIN IN THE COUNTRY.  HE SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS 
REJECTED IRAQ'S SELECTIVE POLICY AND, ON PRINCIPLE, ORDERED THE 
REMOVAL OF ALL ITS U-S AND BRITISH NATIONS .

THE WITHDRAWAL MARKS A FURTHER DETERIORATION OF U-N TIES WITH 
IRAQ.  THOSE TIES HAVE BEEN BECOME INCREASINGLY STRAINED OVER THE
LAST YEAR, AMID REPEATED IRAQI EFFORTS TO BLOCK U-N INSPECTIONS 
OF ITS SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES.

THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO MEND 
DIVISIONS OVER HOW TO DEAL WITH IRAQ.  COUNCIL MEMBERS AGREE SOME
FORM OF MONITORING OF IRAQ'S WEAPONS PROGRAMS IS NEEDED TO 
PREVENT IT FROM DEVELOPING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  BUT THEY
DISAGREE OVER WHAT SORT OF A MECHANISM SHOULD CARRY OUT THAT 
WORK.   (SIGNED)

NEB/MPR/LSF/RAE

03-Feb-99 2:03 PM EST (1903 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.