DATE=4/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N IRAQ ARMS INSPECTIONS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261290
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The United Nations Security Council has 
approved plans for a new arms inspection commission to 
deal with Iraq. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery 
reports on today's (Thursday's) decision at the United 
Nations.


TEXT:  In a report to the Security Council, chief 
weapons inspector Hans Blix outlined the structure of 
the commission that was authorized last December.  
Unlike the previous Iraqi arms commission, the vast 
majority of the staff will be full-time U-N employees 
who are not allowed to seek or receive instructions 
from national governments.  That is designed to 
counter Iraqi objections that previous U-N inspectors 
acted as spies for national governments.

However, Iraq has so far refused to cooperate with the 
new inspection program and Mr. Blix says the initial 
staffing of his commission will be -- as he puts it -- 
lean.

After the closed-door meeting, Russian Ambassador 
Sergey Lavrov told reporters he believes Iraq will 
eventually cooperate with the weapons inspections, if 
the United States and Britain stop bombing Iraq.

            /// Lavrov Act ///

      The Security Council never authorized the 
      creation of "no-fly" zones.  The Security 
      Council never authorized the violation of Iraqi 
      sovereignty and territorial integrity and the 
      Security Council never authorized the 
      undermining of the regime in Baghdad.

            /// End Act ///

However, British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock defended 
the bombings in the "no-fly" zones and told reporters 
the United States and Britain have only reacted to 
Iraqi provocations.

            /// Greenstock Act ///

      The action taken by U-S and U-K forces is only 
      responsive.  Iraq has fired on or taken action 
      against U-S and U-K aircraft some 650 times 
      since December of 1998.  We have instigated 
      action on no occasion, on no occasion.

            /// End Act ///

Mr. Greenstock says the bombing in the no-fly zones is 
justified under the U-N resolution that refers to the 
protection of the Iraqi people.

            /// Rest Opt ///

U-S Ambassador Richard Holbrooke attended the council 
session on Iraqi arms inspections and also expressed 
hope Iraq will cooperate with the inspections.  Mr. 
Holbrooke denied rumors at the United Nations that he 
personally does not support the Clinton 
administration's policies on Iraq and was avoiding 
meetings on Iraq.

            /// Holbrooke Act ///

      I have no idea where the myth that I do not care 
      about Iraq came from.  It is simply that the 
      more visible aspects of my activities have 
      involved other issues.

            /// End Act ///

Mr. Holbrooke says his absences at previous Security 
Council meetings on Iraq were caused by other business 
and that he fully supports the administration's Iraq 
policies.   (Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JP




13-Apr-2000 16:07 PM EDT (13-Apr-2000 2007 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.