DATE=3/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227822
TITLE=BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  WORK AIMED AT STRENGTHENING COMPLIANCE WITH A CONVENTION 
WHICH PROHIBITS THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION AND STOCKPILING OF 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS IS GATHERING MOMENTUM IN LIGHT OF THE THREATS 
POSED BY IRAQ.  LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS EXPERTS FROM AROUND THE 
WORLD ARE ATTENDING A WEEK-LONG CONFERENCE AT THE UNITED NATIONS 
IN GENEVA IN HOPES OF NEGOTIATING A TOUGHER CONVENTION.

TEXT:  ONE-HUNDRED-40 COUNTRIES HAVE SIGNED THE 25-YEAR-OLD 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION.  AMONG THE SIGNATORIES ARE IRAQ 
AND IRAN.  HOWEVER, THE CONVENTION IN ITS PRESENT FORM, HAS MET 
NUMEROUS CRITICISMS.  IT HAS NO VERIFICATION OR COMPLIANCE 
PROVISIONS.  IT HAS  NO  WAY OF DETECTING VIOLATIONS OR OF 
PREVENTING COUNTRIES FROM CHEATING AND PRODUCING BIOLOGICAL 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

RECENT EVENTS IN IRAQ HAVE GIVEN A SENSE OF URGENCY TO THESE 
NEGOTIATIONS. THE BRITISH DEPUTY HEAD OF DELEGATION, PATRICK 
LAMB, PRESENTED A COMMON POSITION BY THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE 
CONFERENCE.  HE SAYS HIS PRESENTATION AND THOSE MADE BY OTHER 
GOVERNMENTS HAVE ENERGIZED DISCUSSIONS. 

                         ///LAMB ACT///

         I THINK IT IS FAIR TO REPORT THAT IN THE MEETING THIS 
         MORNING (MONDAY) ON RECEPTION OF THE U.K. STATEMENT AND 
         ALSO THE AUSTRALIAN STATEMENT AND AWARENESS EQUALLY OF 
         THE STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CLINTON -- IT GALVANIZED 
         RESPONSES AROUND THE HALL AND BROUGHT FORWARD 
         COMMITMENTS ON THE PART OF A NUMBER OF OTHER DELEGATIONS
         TO SEE A RAPID AND EARLY CONCLUSION OF NEGOTIATIONS. 

                         ///END ACT/// 

//OPT// THIS WEEK-LONG NEGOTIATING SESSION IS CONCENTRATING 
MAINLY ON ESTABLISHING COMPLIANCE AND INVESTIGATIVE MEASURES. 
THIS INCLUDES GETTING COUNTRIES TO DECLARE THEIR BIOLOGICAL 
FACILITIES. MANY ARE RELUCTANT TO DO SO BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THIS
MIGHT COMPROMISE THEIR NATIONAL SECURITY. //END OPT//

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, TIBOR TOTH SAYS VERIFYING 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THAN VERIFYING THE 
EXISTENCE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS. HE SAYS TOXIC BIOLOGICAL 
SUBSTANCES ARE FAR MORE POTENT THAN THE MOST DANGEROUS CHEMICAL 
SUBSTANCES. 

                         ///TOTH ACT/// 

         AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S MUCH EASIER TO HIDE THE EQUIPMENT
         WHICH MIGHT BE USED FOR DEVELOPING AND PRODUCING AND 
         EVEN (DETONATING) THOSE SUBSTANCES. 

                         ///END ACT///  

THE EXPERTS BELIEVE THEY CAN ACHIEVE A FINAL AGREEMENT BY THE 
YEAR 2001. THIS COMES JUST BEFORE THE FIFTH REVIEW CONFERENCE OF 
THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE.  
BUT MANY DELEGATES HERE ARE PUSHING FOR AN EARLIER DATE. THEY 
THINK THE DANGERS POSED BY ROGUE STATES, SUCH AS IRAQ, DEMAND A 
QUICKER RESPONSE. (SIGNED) 

NEB/LS/PCF/WFR

09-Mar-98 10:51 AM EST (1551 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.