DATE=5/19/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249573
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ DEADLOCK (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ARE PREPARING FOR 
FURTHER DISCUSSIONS  AIMED AT BREAKING THEIR DEADLOCK OVER WHAT 
TO DO NEXT ABOUT IRAQ.  U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS 
THERE ARE NEW INDICATIONS KEY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ARE WILLING 
TO COMPROMISE ON SOME ISSUES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEADLOCK. 

TEXT:  WHEN THE COUNCIL HOLDS ITS NEXT MEETING ABOUT IRAQ, 
FRIDAY, IT WILL DISCUSS TWO DRAFT RESOLUTIONS, JUST SUBMITTED BY 
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.  ONE, PREPARED BY BRITAIN AND THE 
NETHERLANDS, PROPOSES A SLIGHT EASING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ, 
IF IT AGREES TO AND IMPLEMENTS A NEW U-N WEAPONS MONITORING 
PROGRAM.  MOST NOTABLY, IT WOULD ALLOW FOREIGN OIL COMPANIES TO 
INVEST IN IRAQ.

THE OTHER DRAFT RESOLUTION, PROPOSED BY CHINA, FRANCE, AND 
RUSSIA, CALLS FOR A MUCH WIDER EASING OF TRADE AND EXPORT 
SANCTIONS ON A PROBATIONARY BASIS, PROVIDED IRAQ COOPERATES FULLY
WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  UNDER THE PROPOSAL, IRAQ'S 
COMPLIANCE WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE 
REVIEWED EACH MONTH AND SANCTIONS WOULD BE REIMPOSED IF IT FAILS 
TO COOPERATE.

THE TWO PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS ARE AIMED AT BREAKING THE NEARLY 
SIX-MONTH DEADLOCK IN THE COUNCIL OVER WHAT TO DO NEXT CONCERNING
IRAQ.  

CHINA, FRANCE, AND RUSSIA, SAY IT IS TIME TO START LIFTING 
SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER THE GULF WAR.  BRITAIN AND THE 
UNITED STATES HAVE IN THE PAST OPPOSED LIFTING SANCTIONS UNTIL 
IRAQ RESUMES COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS, WHICH IT 
SEVERED LATE LAST YEAR.  

CHINA, FRANCE, AND RUSSIA AGREE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS MUST BE 
REVIVED.  BUT THEY SAY SANCTIONS SHOULD BE EASED BEFORE THAT TIME
TO GIVE IRAQ SOME INCENTIVE TO COOPERATE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.

DIPLOMATS SAY THE TWO DRAFT RESOLUTIONS REPRESENT SMALL STEPS 
TOWARDS A CENTRAL COMPROMISE BY MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL.  THEY SAY THE PROPOSALS ARE ENCOURAGING, AS THEY SHOW A 
WILLINGNESS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO NEGOTIATE AND TO MODIFY THEIR 
PREVIOUSLY ENTRENCHED POSITIONS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE

19-May-99 1:24 PM EDT (1724 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.