DATE=3/2/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246160
TITLE=U-N / ANNAN / IRAQ INSPECTIONS (S & L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS 
(TUESDAY) HE HAS NO DIRECT KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE LATEST 
CHARGES THAT THE UNITED STATES USED U-N FACILITIES TO SPY ON 
IRAQ.  THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, UNSCOM, ALSO SAYS 
IT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CHARGES.  V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT
MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. ANNAN SAYS HE HAS NO DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OF THE LATEST 
CHARGES THAT WASHINGTON USED THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION, UNSCOM, TO SPY ON IRAQ.   BUT HE SAYS IF THE CHARGES 
ARE SHOWN TO BE ACCURATE, IT WILL MAKE FUTURE DISARMAMENT WORK 
MORE DIFFICULT.

                        /// ANNAN ACT ///

         THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THESE ALLEGATIONS WOULD MAKE 
         DISARMAMENT REGIMES OR FUTURE EFFORTS DIFFICULT IF 
         GOVERNMENTS BELIEVE THIS KIND OF THING CAN HAPPEN.  BUT 
         I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO DRAW THE 
         RIGHT LESSONS AND ASSESS THE SITUATION.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR.  ANNAN SAYS ALL U-N AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH IRAQI DISARMAMENT
WILL HAVE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND -- HE SAYS -- DETERMINE 
WHAT STEPS ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE SANCTITY OF THEIR WORK.

                      /// REST OPTIONAL ///

UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER IS ALSO DENYING ANY KNOWLEDGE 
CONCERNING THE LATEST SPYING ALLEGATIONS.

THE ALLEGATIONS ARE DETAILED IN AN ARTICLE IN THE WASHINGTON POST
NEWSPAPER TUESDAY.  THE ARTICLE SAYS U-S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES 
MODIFIED UNSCOM COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES TO MONITOR SENSITIVE 
IRAQI COMMUNICATIONS.  THE ARTICLE INDICATES THAT THE RESULTS OF 
THE ALLEGED EAVESDROPPING WERE USED SOLELY FOR U-S INTERESTS AND 
WERE NOT SHARED WITH UNSCOM.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY U-S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES HAVE, AT TIMES, 
WORKED WITH UNSCOM.  BUT THEY SAY SUCH ACTIVITIES WERE CARRIED 
OUT ONLY TO ASSIST UNSCOM WITH ITS U-N MANDATED TASK OF DISARMING
IRAQ.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN STRESSED 
THAT UNSCOM'S ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ ARE SUPERVISED BY THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL AND NOT THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S OFFICE.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO

02-Mar-99 2:16 PM EST (1916 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.