DATE=3/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ ARMS INSPECTOR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259730
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The new chief U-N weapons inspector for Iraq, 
Hans Blix, formally began his work today (Wednesday) 
by saying it is in Iraq's self-interest to permit 
inspections to resume.  V-O-A Correspondent Breck 
Ardery reports from the United Nations.


TEXT:  Mr. Blix told reporters he hopes the Iraqi 
government will change its position and cooperate with 
the U-N Security Council resolution that established 
the new international weapons monitoring and 
inspection commission.

            /// Blix Act ///

      The Iraqis may look on inspections as a penalty 
      which they like to minimize.  I think they 
      should look at them as an opportunity that they 
      should maximize.  Because if the (Iraqi) 
      government simply says it has nothing (EDS: no 
      prohibited weapons), there may not be much 
      confidence in the world about the statement.  
      But if you have international, impartial 
      inspectors who do a thorough job and they say 
      it, then the world may believe it.

            /// End Act ///

Mr. Blix says his goal is not to humiliate Iraq.  He 
also pointed out the Security Council resolution says 
that cooperation with new weapons inspections could 
lead to the suspension of sanctions against Iraq.

A previous U-N arms inspection group left Iraq in 
December of 1998 and there have been no inspections 
since.

Mr. Blix, a Swedish diplomat and disarmament expert, 
was asked about Iraqi charges that the previous arms 
inspectors were spies for national governments.  He 
said the new inspection commission will eventually be 
composed entirely of U-N employees who will not take 
orders from or report to their national governments.

There are some deep divisions on Iraqi policy among 
the five permanent members of the U-N Security 
Council.  The latest resolution establishing the new 
inspection system was approved with abstentions by 
China, France and Russia.  Mr. Blix says he will 
ignore the politics of the council and follow the 
mandate given to him by the resolution unless and 
until the council decides to change it.(Signed) 

NEB/BA/LSF/JP




01-Mar-2000 14:42 PM EDT (01-Mar-2000 1942 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.