ACCESSION NUMBER:00000

FILE ID:97112008.txt

DATE:11/20/97

TITLE:20-11-97  TEXT: RICHARDSON REMARKS ON GENEVA TALKS ON IRAQ NOVEMBER 20



TEXT:

(No concessions offered to get UNSCOM back to work)  (640)



United Nations -- Saying that Iraq's agreement with Russia to allow

the U.N. weapons inspectors back into the country is "a step forward,"

U.S. Ambassador Bill Richardson stressed November 20 that the U.N. has

made "no deal, no concessions."



In a press statement Richardson said that the solidarity of the five

permanent members of the U.N. Security Council in insisting that the

U.N. Special Commission overseeing the destruction of Iraqi weapons

(UNSCOM) be allowed to do its work unconditionally was responsible for

Baghdad's change of attitude.



"The United States and the United Nations have made no deal, no

concessions; no carrots have been offered. We are not ready to lift

sanctions until all relevant Security Council resolutions are complied

with by Iraq. And, if necessary, we will use our veto to achieve that

objective," the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations said.



Following is the text of Richardson's statement:



(begin text)



(As delivered)



Statement by Ambassador Bill Richardson on Iraq



November 20, 1997



Good morning. The news out of Geneva is a step forward, an opening,

but it's not a resolution of the issue. It appears that allied P-5

solidarity made this happen. And, it is critically important that Iraq

comply fully with resolution 1137, and the UN inspections team can go

back to work, unconditionally, fully, and immediately. Iraq must

follow with real performance on the ground, as we've said before,

there can be no conditions, no deals, no winks.



Our objective was to get UNSCOM to return and do its work,

unconditionally. Our means were intensive diplomacy, allied

solidarity, and a strong military presence in the region. If the

inspectors return, unconditionally, with Americans, we will have

achieved our objective. Let me also print out that the Russia-Iraq

initiative is not binding on the United States or on the Security

Council.



The United States and the United Nations have made no deal, no

concessions, no carrots have been offered. We are not ready to lift

sanctions until all relevant Security Council resolutions are complied

with by Iraq. And, if necessary we will use our veto to achieve that

objective.



The goal now must be to make UNSCOM stronger. It should be given

access. The Iraqis should stop their concealment. They should be more

forthcoming on chemical, biological and other deadly weapons. It is

our view that after the briefing by UNSCOM yesterday, the missile

files should not be closed. There still is significant work and

oversight that has to happen in those areas, particularly with

indigenous missiles.



Our assets, our military assets will stay in the region. For your

information, Secretary Cohen will be with me today, and we will meet

with Secretary-General Annan, this afternoon and then we will meet

with the press later.



The point that I want to make here is, why should Iraq be rewarded for

reversing themselves after having committed an illegal act. Compliance

should not be rewarded with carrots.



UNSCOM commissioners will meet tomorrow and discuss how to make the

Special Commission more effective and stronger. Any recommendations

coming out of that meeting will be referred to the Security Council,

which will have to agree to any change in the work, or composition of

UNSCOM.



As a result of the absence of UNSCOM inspectors, UNSCOM will need to

work even harder to reestablish its work. As President Clinton said

this morning, we will remain resolute in our determination to prevent

Iraq from threatening its neighbors and the world with nuclear,

chemical or biological weapons. This is an issue that he hopes will

become even more important to all Americans, that is a duty we have to

all generations.



(end text)

NNNN