DATE=4/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247860
TITLE=U-N / COUNCIL / IRAQ (L - ONLY) 
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THERE ARE SIGNS OF INCREASING DIVISION IN THE UNITED 
NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL OVER ITS IRAQ DISARMAMENT POLICY.  THE 
COUNCIL HELD CLOSED-DOOR TALKS ON THE ISSUE TODAY (FRIDAY), AS WE
HEAR FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.

TEXT:  THE STRONGEST DIVISION IN THE COUNCIL IS OVER THE U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION UNSCOM AND ITS CHIEF, RICHARD 
BUTLER.  DIPLOMATS SAY RUSSIA IS LEADING A CAMPAIGN TO CLOSE MR. 
BUTLER OUT OF COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS, AND ULTIMATELY TO REMOVE HIM 
FROM HIS POST.  ON FRIDAY, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR SERGEI LAVROV SAID 
UNSCOM HAS BECOME A JOKE -- A REFERENCE TO ITS INABILITY TO WORK 
IN IRAQ SINCE DECEMBER, WHEN U-S AND BRITISH FORCES BEGAN AIR 
STRIKES AGAINST THAT COUNTRY.  IRAQ HAS BARRED UNSCOM FROM THE 
COUNTRY SINCE THAT TIME.

DIPLOMATS SAY CHINA IS ALSO STRONGLY OPPOSED TO MR. BUTLER AND 
THAT FRANCE WOULD PREFER THAT HIS CONTRACT IS NOT RENEWED WHEN 
ITS EXPIRES IN JUNE.

IN THE COUNCIL, THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN ARE THE STRONGEST 
SUPPORTERS OF MR. BUTLER.  U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY THINK HE HAS 
DONE AN EFFECTIVE JOB AND SHOULD REMAIN IN HIS POST.

BAGHDAD HAS ACCUSED MR. BUTLER OF COOPERATING WITH U-S 
INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS IN IRAQ -- A CHARGE MR. BUTLER AND U-S 
OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED.

THE LATEST DISPUTE CONCERNING MR. BUTLER CAME AS THE COUNCIL HELD
A SECOND DAY OF DISCUSSIONS ON ITS EFFORTS TO REVIVE U-N 
DISARMAMENT AND WEAPONS MONITORING EFFORTS IN IRAQ.  THE 
DISCUSSIONS ARE FOCUSSING ON A REPORT PREPARED FOR THE COUNCIL 
OUTLINING WHAT COULD BE DONE TO MAKE CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGES TO THE 
DISARMAMENT PROCESS.

IRAQ HAS REJECTED THE REPORT, SAYING IT FAILS TO RECOGNIZE WHAT 
IRAQ CALLS UNSCOM'S EXAGGERATED, UNPROFESSIONAL AND INCOMPETENT 
PRACTICES.  IRAQ SAYS IT WILL NOT CONSIDER COOPERATION WITH U-N 
DISARMAMENT EFFORTS UNLESS SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR 
ARE FIRST LIFTED.

BRAZIL'S AMBASSADOR CELSO AMORIM CHAIRED THE PANEL OF EXPERTS 
THAT PREPARED THE RECOMMENDATIONS REJECTED BY IRAQ.

                       /// AMORIM ACT ///

         WE DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE OF 
         INITIAL REACTIONS, SO I THINK WHEN THE COUNCIL HAS A 
         POLICY OR AN APPROACH FRAMED IN A PROPER WAY, THEN IT 
         WILL BE THE TIME TO ENGAGE IRAQ, AND THEN IT WILL BE THE
         TIME TO LOOK FOR THEIR [IRAQ'S] REACTION.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. AMORIM SAYS THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOCUS ON TECHNICAL CHANGES 
THAT COULD BE MADE IN THE DISARMAMENT PROCESS AND NOT ON THE 
QUESTION OF HOW TO ESTABLISH COOPERATION WITH IRAQ.  HE SAYS 
TRYING TO ENGAGE IRAQ IN THE DISARMAMENT PROCESS IS THE MOST 
DIFFICULT ASPECT OF THE ISSUE NOW BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  OTHER 
DIPLOMATS SAY THE COUNCIL IS JUST BEGINNING TO APPROACH THAT 
IMPORTANT CHALLENGE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

09-Apr-99 3:42 PM EDT (1942 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.