DATE=  11/20/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-222990

TITLE=GENEVA REACT (L ONLY)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  U-N OFFICIALS AND DIPLOMATS ARE WAITING CAUTIOUSLY FOR 

THE NEXT STEP IN THE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS CRISIS WITH IRAQ.  

CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS REACTION TO THE OUTCOME OF 

THE MINISTERIAL MEETING IN GENEVA WAS SLIGHTLY UPBEAT, BUT SOME 

ARE WARY OF BAGHDAD'S INTENTIONS. 



TEXT:  THE GENEVA TALKS MAY HAVE MOVED THE CRISIS A STEP TOWARD 

RESOLUTION.  BUT U-N DIPLOMATS ARE LOOKING FOR ACTION TO VERIFY 

RUSSIA'S CLAIM BAGHDAD IS READY TO COOPERATE.



SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAID THE FIRST MOVE HAS TO BE TO GET

THE INSPECTORS -- WITH THE AMERICANS -- BACK TO WORK:



                          //ANNAN ACT//



         I THINK IT IS VERY ENCOURAGING.  BUT WE WILL HAVE TO 

         WAIT TO GET THE INSPECTORS IN TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.  I AM

         HOPEFUL THEY WILL ALL BE IN TOMORROW (FRI) SINCE THEY 

         ARE ONLY AN HOUR OR SO AWAY IN BAHRAIN.  BUT IT IS 

         ENCOURAGING AND I THINK THE UNITED FRONT, THE RESOLVE 

         AND THE DETERMINATION TO CARRY THROUGH HAS PAID OFF.  

         BUT IT ALSO PROVES THAT DIPLOMACY SOMETIMES WORKS AND 

         YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO FIGHT TO WIN.



                          // END ACT //



U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON IS MORE SKEPTICAL.



                      // RICHARDSON ACT //



         THESE ARE JUST WORDS.  THESE ARE JUST PROMISES, AND IRAQ

         HAS MADE PROMISES BEFORE WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN KEPT.  WE 

         WANT TO SEE THE UNSCOM INSPECTORS ON THE GROUND WITH 

         FULL ACCESS, WITH THEIR CURRENT COMPOSITION, WITH NO 

         POLITICS, WITH U-S FLIGHTS FLYING WITHOUT THEM BEING 

         THREATENED.  UNTIL THAT HAPPENS THERE IS NO RESOLUTION 

         OF THIS ISSUE.



                          // END ACT //



AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON STRESSES THE FULL ACCESS ISSUE.  THE 

SPECIAL COMMISSION DISARMING IRAQ REPORTED TO THE SECURITY 

COUNCIL WEDNESDAY BAGHDAD HAS AN OFFICIALLY-SANCTIONED POLICY OF 

CONCEALMENT -- BLOCKING ACCESS TO SENSITIVE SITES AND CARTING 

AWAY FROM THESE AREAS BANNED MATERIAL.



                         // REST OPT //



THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS LATER TODAY (THURS 4 PM) IN PRIVATE 

CONSULTATIONS ON IRAQ.  MEANWHILE, THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IS 

EXPECTED TO MEET WITH THE COUNCIL ON FRIDAY TO DISCUSS THE 

INSPECTIONS -- PERHAPS LAYING OUT A PROGRAM FOR GETTING INTO 

FACILITIES THAT BAGHDAD HAS DECLARED OFF-LIMITS.



THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS INSISTED BAGHDAD COOPERATE 

UNCONDITIONALLY.  WHILE THE UNITED STATES SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN NO

COMPROMISES, REPORTS FROM IRAQ INDICATE BAGHDAD MAY HAVE A 

DIFFERENT IDEA.   (SIGNED) 



NEB/RAE



20-Nov-97 10:56 AM EST (1556 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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