DATE=6/1/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250085
TITLE=UN/UNSCOM/ RUSSIA (L-O) 
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: IN NEW YORK TODAY (TUESDAY), RUSSIA CALLED FOR AN 
EMERGENCY MEETNG OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TO 
DISCUSS THE CHEMICALS U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS MAY HAVE LEFT BEHIND
IN IRAQ. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS. 

TEXT: RUSSIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SERGEI LAVROV, 
SAYS THE U-N INSPECTORS LEFT SAMPLES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES IN 
THEIR BAGHDAD LABORATORY WHEN THEY DEPARTED LAST DECEMBER.  

MEMBERS OF UNSCOM -- THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH 
DISMANTLING IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- LEFT IRAQ JUST 
24 HOURS BEFORE BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES BOMBED IRAQ IN 
RETALIATION FOR ALLEGEDLY REFUSING TO COOPERATE WITH THE WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS.

U-N INSPECTORS HAVE SAID THAT IRAQ POSSESSES TWO DEADLY CHEMICAL 
AGENTS -- SARIN AND V-X NERVE GAS. BUT IT IS NOT CERTAIN THAT THE
INSPECTION TEAM LEFT SAMPLES OF EITHER OF THE TWO CHEMICALS.

MR. LAVROV SAYS UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER HAS SAID NOTHING 
DANGEROUS WAS LEFT IN UNSCOM OFFICES. BUT MR. LAVROV SAYS RUSSIA 
WANTS MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING A WRITTEN REPORT, ON THE 
MATTER.

                       /// LAVROV ACT ////

         WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE MEASURES ON THE PART OF THE 
         SECRETARY GENERAL TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS STUFF IS 
         REMOVED FROM THE FORMER UNSCOM OFFICES IN BAGHDAD AND 
         NEUTRALIZED. UNTIL, AND UNLESS, WE KNOW THAT THERE IS AN
         UNBIASED TEAM ENTERING THOSE PREMISES AND TELLING US 
         WHAT IS IN THERE, WE WOULD NOT BE SATISFIED.  

                        /// END ACT /// 

MR. LAVROV'S CHARGES ARE MADE AGAINST A BACKDROP OF DIPLOMATIC 
INTRIGUE CONCERNING THE INSPECTION TEAM, PARTICULARY ITS LEADER. 
MR. BUTLER HAS SAID HE DOES NOT EXPECT HIS CONTRACT TO BE RENEWED
WHEN IT EXPIRES THIS MONTH. 

MR. BUTLER AND RUSSIA HAVE BEEN AT ODDS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR OVER
THE ISSUE OF INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ. THE INSPECTIONS ARE TIED TO U-N
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ WHICH WERE IMPOSED FOLLOWING IRAQ'S 
INVASION OF KUWAIT IN 1991. 

IN ADDITION, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN 
DISCUSSING THE CREATION OF A SUCCESSOR ORGANIZATION TO UNSCOM TO 
CONTINUE MONITORING IRAQ.  BRITAIN AND THE NETHERLANDS HAVE PUT 
FORWARD ONE PLAN. RUSSIA HAS PRESENTED ANOTHER PLAN. THE TWO 
PLANS DIFFER ON THE ISSUE OF HOW TO HANDLE SANCTIONS. 

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BABOUCARR-BLAISE JAGNE OF GAMBIA SAYS 
NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE  
SEEN MR. BUTLER'S REPORT, WHICH IS EXPECTED BY EARLY WEDNESDAY. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/NY/BJS/LSF/WFR  

01-Jun-99 4:00 PM EDT (2000 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.