DATE=9/28/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BUTLER-IRAQ (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254416
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  The former head of the U-N weapons inspection 
commission (UNSCOM) is urging the world community to 
keep pressure on Iraq's government.  But he says the 
suffering of the Iraqi people should be eased after 
nearly 10 years international sanctions. Ambassador 
Richard Butler testified before Congress today 
(Tuesday).  V-O-A's David Swan reports.

TEXT:  Mr. Butler's appearance comes as the U-N 
Security Council tries to forge a new policy toward 
Iraq.  He rejects Baghdad's assertion it has disarmed, 
saying President Saddam Hussein has shown an addiction 
to weapons of mass destruction - and now has a chance 
to rebuild them.  

            /// BUTLER ACT ///

      I do not know precisely what's happening in Iraq 
      now because of our (UN weapons inspectors) 
      absence.  But I think it would be utterly 
      foolish to assume that he isn't taking the 
      opportunity of that absence to reconstitute 
      these weapons of mass destruction programs.  
      That's what the track record is.

            /// END ACT ///

The United Nations team has not conducted inspections 
in Iraq since last December when the United States and 
Britain bombed Iraq for refusing to cooperate with the 
inspections program.  The permanent five Security 
Council members are currently divided on how to 
restart weapons inspections and whether to ease 
sanctions. 

Mr. Butler says the Iraqi leader has only himself to 
blame for those punishing measures still being in 
place. 

            /// BUTLER ACT ///

      The person who's responsible for them (the 
      sanctions) being there and has refused to allow 
      them to be removed at an early date is the 
      president of the Republic of Iraq.  End of 
      story.

            /// END ACT ///

However, Mr. Butler says the sanctions have hurt too 
many innocent Iraqis.  He called for a more 
sophisticated approach, narrowly focused on President 
Saddam and his associates. 

            /// BUTLER ACT ///

      They're the people who should be targeted - the 
      Swiss bank accounts and so on.  Not the ordinary 
      people.  And I think sanctions would then be 
      more effective.

            /// END ACT ///

The United States and Britain want sanctions in place 
until Iraq is free of banned weapons, while Russia and 
China say the sanctions now serve no purpose.  Foreign 
ministers of the so-called permanent five failed to 
reach a consensus last week but pledged to continue 
working on findng a solution. (Signed)

NEB/DS/JO



28-Sep-1999 13:33 PM EDT (28-Sep-1999 1733 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.