DATE=1/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258507
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  The United States has welcomed the choice of 
Hans Blix as chief U-N arms inspector for Iraq, but 
Baghdad says the decision will not end the stalemate 
over weapons inspections.  From the State Department, 
VOA's Kyle King reports.


TEXT:  U-S officials describe Swedish diplomat Hans 
Blix as a man of proven ability.  The former head of 
the International Atomic Energy Agency was selected by 
the U-N Security Council Wednesday, breaking weeks of 
deadlock over the choice.

Some critics of Mr. Blix have said they do not believe 
he will be as effective as the head of the new U-N 
weapons inspection program for Iraq as Rolf Ekeus.

Mr. Ekeus, a former head of the weapons inspection 
program, was nominated by the Secretary General, but 
the choice was rejected by Russia, China and France. 

Despite the selection of the more acceptable 
candidate, Iraqi officials still oppose the creation 
of a new arms inspection program.

Iraqi Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Nizar Hamdoon is 
quoted by Radio Monte Carlo as saying the choice of 
Mr. Blix will not end the impasse.

State Department spokesman James Rubin says Iraq is 
only harming itself by refusing to allow weapons 
inspections.

            /// RUBIN ACT ///

      So long as Iraq refuses to cooperate the 
      Sanctions will Stay on indefinitely, the United 
      States will continue its policy of containment, 
      and when Iraq purports to act in ways that could 
      affect our national interest we will respond 
      accordingly, so Iraq is only shooting itself in 
      the foot by failing to cooperate with  the 
      International community's demand that it allow 
      these inspectors in.

            /// END ACT /// 

Baghdad barred U-N weapons inspectors from Iraq in 
December of 1998, a move that triggered a bombing 
campaign by the United States and Britain.

The United Nations Security Council passed a 
resolution last month that could allow the easing of 
sanctions on Iraq if it allowed the inspections to 
resume.  Iraqi officials say they have major 
reservations about the resolution.  (Signed)



NEB/KBK/TVM/PT



27-Jan-2000 18:45 PM EDT (27-Jan-2000 2345 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.