DATE=6/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250930
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / UNSCOM (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS APPEARS TO BE NEARING AN AGREEMENT 
WITH IRAQ FOR THE REMOVAL OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES LEFT
IN BAGHDAD BY THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  
V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY.

TEXT:  UNSCOM MEMBERS LEFT THE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES AT
THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN BAGHDAD WHEN THEY WERE EVACUATED FROM IRAQ 
IN DECEMBER.  INSPECTORS PLANNED TO RETURN TO THE COUNTRY, BUT 
IRAQ HAS NOT ALLOWED THEM TO DO SO.

IRAQ AND RUSSIA ARE NOW EXPRESSING CONCERN THE SAMPLES COULD 
BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD.  UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER SAYS THEY 
POSE NO DANGER.  U-N OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN HOLDING TALKS WITH IRAQ 
ON A POSSIBLE MISSION TO BAGHDAD BY A GROUP OF EXPERTS WHO WOULD 
DISPOSE OF THE SAMPLES.

U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD:

                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///

         THERE IS AT LEAST ONE SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE STILL REMAINING 
         BUT IT IS MORE TRUE TODAY THAN IT WAS ON FRIDAY THAT WE 
         ARE CLOSER TO AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW A U-N TEAM WOULD 
         GO TO IRAQ AND CHECK OUT THIS UNSCOM FACILITY.  THE 
         SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL ENVOY, PRAKASH SHAH, HAD 
         TALKS WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ OVER THE 
         WEEKEND, AND SOME PROGRESS WAS MADE.  WE ARE NOT READY 
         TO SAY THOUGH THAT THIS TEAM WILL BE TRAVELING 
         IMMEDIATELY.  THERE ARE STILL SOME THINGS TO WORK OUT.

                         /// END ACT ///

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER IRAQ WILL ALLOW ANY UNSCOM MEMBERS TO 
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROPOSED MISSION.

THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, HAS BEEN 
HOLDING INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS ON HOW TO REVIVE COOPERATION WITH 
IRAQ.  DIPLOMATS SAY THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION THAT IS 
ACCEPTABLE TO IRAQ WHILE ENSURING THAT BAGHDAD DOES NOT RETAIN 
ANY CAPABILITY TO PRODUCE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  MOST OF 
THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE FOCUSSED ON ESTABLISHING A NEW MONITORING 
AGENCY TO REPLACE UNSCOM AND FINDING WAYS TO ALLOW A GRADUAL 
LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IF IRAQ COOPERATES WITH THE MONITORING 
PROCESS.

UNDER SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS, THE UNITED NATIONS MUST 
RECEIVE VERIFICATION THAT IRAQ NO LONGER HAS ANY WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION OR THE CAPABILITY TO PRODUCE THEM, BEFORE SANCTIONS 
IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR CAN BE LIFTED.  IRAQ CLAIMS TO HAVE 
MET THE U-N REQUIREMENTS.  UNSCOM SAYS IT HAS NOT.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

21-Jun-99 4:23 PM EDT (2023 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.