DATE=3/3/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246212
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / BUTLER (S & L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   CHIEF UNITED NATIONS ARMS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER IS 
DENYING ANY KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING CHARGES THAT U-S INTELLIGENCE 
AGENCIES USED HIS TEAMS TO SPY ON IRAQ.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:   MR. BUTLER SAYS HE DOES NOT KNOW IF THE ALLEGATIONS ARE 
TRUE.  HE SAYS ONLY THAT IF THEY ARE, HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE 
SITUATION.  HE SAYS THE ALLEGATIONS REPRESENT A SERIOUS PROBLEM 
FOR FUTURE DISARMAMENT EFFORTS IF THEY ARE ACCURATE.

                       /// BUTLER ACT ///

         IF PEOPLE THINK THAT BY ENTERING IN GOOD FAITH INTO 
         MEANS OF VERIFICATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES THAT 
         THERE IS GOING TO BE THIS BACK DOOR STUFF, GOING BEYOND 
         THEIR ARMS CONTROL OBLIGATIONS AND SPYING ON THEM, THEN 
         WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. BUTLER WAS RESPONDING TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTION COMMISSION HE HEADS, UNSCOM, WAS USED BY WASHINGTON TO
CARRY OUT SPYING MISSIONS FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE UNITED 
STATES.

                      /// REST OPTIONAL ///

MR. BUTLER MADE THE REMARKS IN A SPEECH TO THE PRIVATE COUNCIL ON
FOREIGN RELATIONS IN NEW YORK.  HE DID NOT SPECIFICALLY DENY THAT
OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS TEAM MAY HAVE WORKED WITH U-S INTELLIGENCE 
AGENCIES BEHIND HIS BACK.  HE SAID HE HOPES TO FIND OUT THE 
TRUTH.

MR. BUTLER PUT SOME OF THE BLAME FOR THE CURRENT BREAKDOWN IN THE
INSPECTION PROCESS ON THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, WHICH IS DIVIDED 
OVER HOW TO PURSUE DISARMAMENT ISSUES IN IRAQ.  RUSSIA, CHINA AND
FRANCE HAVE SHARPLY CRITICIZED UNSCOM AND PERSONALLY BLAMED MR. 
BUTLER FOR THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  MR. 
BUTLER SAID THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT FOR FUTURE 
DISARMAMENT ISSUES IS THAT THE SECURITY COUNCIL REPAIR ITS 
DIVISIONS AND PROVIDE UNIFIED SUPPORT FOR WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.

                       /// BUTLER ACT ///

         I SIMPLY EXTOL THE IRREDUCIBLE VIRTUE AND NECESSITY OF 
         THERE BEING UNITY IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL.  BUT IN THIS 
         CASE UNITY AROUND SOMETHING REAL.  NOT AN ILLUSORY 
         AGREEMENT ON IRAQ, BUT SOMETHING THAT WILL GET THE JOB 
         DONE IN THE FACE OF A STATE THAT HAS CREATED AN AWESOME 
         QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION CHIEF SAID HE DOES NOT KNOW IF IRAQ IS
CURRENTLY PRODUCING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  BUT HE SAID 
BASED ON IRAQ'S TRACK RECORD, THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT IS THE 
CASE.

HE SAID HE PLANS TO LEAVE UNSCOM WHEN HIS CONTRACT EXPIRES AT THE
MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.  SOME DIPLOMATS SAY THAT COULD OPEN THE WAY 
FOR NEW EFFORTS TO GET UNSCOM BACK INTO IRAQ.  IRAQ HAS BARRED 
UNSCOM FROM THE COUNTRY SINCE BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES 
CARRIED OUT MILITARY STRIKES IN DECEMBER.  (SIGNED)



NEB/UN/MPR/PT

03-Mar-99 8:59 PM EST (0159 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.