DATE=1/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ / U-N (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258222
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The United States is expressing strong support 
for U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan's nominee to be 
the new chief arms inspector for Iraq.   The 
nomination of diplomat Rolf Ekeus is proving highly 
controversial, but Washington says his opponents are 
playing into Iraq's hands.  From the State Department, 
V-O-A's Kyle King reports.

TEXT:  So far, Russia, France and China have lined up 
against the nomination of Swedish disarmament expert, 
Rolf Ekeus, to head of the new inspection commission 
for Iraq.

The Baghdad government has also rejected the 
nomination of Mr. Ekeus, who established the first 
inspection regime in Iraq after the Persian Gulf war 
in 1991.

China and Russia have said other candidates for the 
arms inspection post might have a better chance of 
getting Iraqi cooperation.

State Department spokesman James Rubin says Mr. Ekeus 
is well qualified, and Iraq's preference should not be 
taken into account.

            /// Rubin Act ///

      We think it is unwise in the extreme for 
      countries to allow Iraq to have veto power over 
      what the Security Council and the Secretary-
      General's decisions are in the area of arms 
      control for Iraq.

            /// End Act ///

Officials say Mr. Ekeus is well qualified for the job 
and the Security Council should support him.

Russia has been leading the opposition to the 
nomination, saying it will have nothing to do with 
anyone associated with the former Iraqi weapons 
inspection program.

Some analysts describe the opposition to the Secretary 
General's choice as a crisis of credibility.

U-S officials say consultations in the Security 
Council will continue.  They say they don't know how 
long it will take, but it should not be an endless 
process. (Signed)

NEB/KBK/JP




19-Jan-2000 16:38 PM EDT (19-Jan-2000 2138 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.