DATE=  11/23/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT  

NUMBER=2-

TITLE=COHEN / IRAQ (S-ALT) 

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:   THE TOP U-S DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS

SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GO ANYWHERE IN IRAQ THEY SUSPECT BANNED 

WEAPONS MIGHT BE HIDDEN -- EVEN IN SOME OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S 

PALACES.  CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.



TEXT:  DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS SPY PLANE PICTURES 

AND HARD EXPERIENCE SHOW IRAQI OFFICIALS DELAYING AND DECEIVING 

U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.



HE TOLD N-B-C'S "MEET THE PRESS" PROGRAM BAGHDAD ADMITTED HAVING 

A FEW KILOGRAMS OF A DEADLY CHEMICAL CALLED V-X.  INSPECTORS 

ACTUALLY FOUND NEARLY FOUR-TONS. 



MR. COHEN SAID SIMILAR LIES WERE UNCOVERED IN ACCOUNTS OF IRAQ'S 

GERM WARFARE AND MISSILE PROGRAMS.  MR. COHEN SAYS IRAQ IS 

BLOCKING INSPECTIONS AT 63 SITES.



                       ///  COHEN ACT  ///



         WE ARE HOPING THAT THE IRAQIS WILL IN FACT MAKE THE 

         CONCESSION THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE.  THAT THESE 

         INSPECTORS SHOULD HAVE UNFETTERED ACCESS TO WHATEVER 

         SITES ARE SUSPECT.  



                         /// END ACT ///



LATER, IRAQ'S U-N AMBASSADOR NIZAR HAMDOON SAID IRAQ HAS 

DESTROYED THE BANNED WEAPONS, AND THE ARGUMENT IS OVER MISSING 

PAPERWORK,  NOT  DEADLY HARDWARE.   (SIGNED)



NEB/JR/RAE



23-Nov-97 12:26 PM EST (1726 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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