DATE=  11/22/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-223092

TITLE=IRAQ/U-N (L)

BYLINE=DOUGLAS ROBERTS

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO: U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS, INCLUDING U-S CITIZENS, RESUMED 

THEIR MISSION IN IRAQ SATURDAY, AFTER THE BAGHDAD GOVERNMENT 

RESCINDED ITS DECISION TO EXPEL THE AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE U-N 

COMMISSION.  THE INSPECTORS ARE REVIVING ATTEMPTS TO VERIFY THE 

ELIMINATION OF IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AS WE HEAR 

FROM MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS.



TEXT:  SIX TEAMS OF U-N INSPECTORS SET OUT FROM THEIR BAGHDAD 

HEADQUARTERS EARLY SATURDAY ON SEPARATE MISSIONS TO IRAQI WEAPONS

SITES.



U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE TEAMS ENCOUNTERED  NO  PROBLEMS AS THEY 

RESUMED THEIR WORK.  IRAQ'S OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY ECHOED THE 

COMMENT, SAYING THE INSPECTIONS ARE PROCEEDING NORMALLY, WITH 

IRAQI OFFICIALS OFFERING THE U-N TEAMS ALL NECESSARY FACILITIES 

TO COMPLETE THEIR TASK.



THERE HAS BEEN  NO  WORD ON THE DETAILS OF SATURDAY'S 

INSPECTIONS.  BUT U-N OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK SAID EARLIER THAT THE

MAIN FOCUS NOW IS ON IRAQ'S BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS.



THE INSPECTORS ARE TRYING TO VERIFY IRAQ'S CLAIMS TO HAVE 

DESTROYED ALL ITS STOCKS OF TOXINS AND GASES, INCLUDING THE 

MUSTARD GAS USED REPEATEDLY BY IRAQI FORCES DURING THE WAR 

AGAINST IRAN.      



MEANWHILE IN NEW YORK, THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS MEETING SATURDAY 

TO DISCUSS A REPORT FROM THE WEAPONS COMMISSION ON WAYS TO 

ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INSPECTIONS.



ONE PROPOSAL REPORTEDLY UNDER DISCUSSION CALLS FOR INCREASING THE

NUMBER OF INSPECTORS.  THAT WOULD EFFECTIVELY DECREASE THE U-S 

ROLE IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS.  BUT SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE

ALBRIGHT TOLD REPORTERS IN CANADA FRIDAY THAT AMERICANS MUST 

CONTINUE TO MAKE UP A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE U-N COMMISSION.



U-S OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN STRESSING THAT THERE WILL BE  NO  LIFTING

OF THE U-N ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ UNTIL BAGHDAD HAS 

COMPLIED WITH ALL THE SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS, FORMULATED IN 

RESPONSE TO THE IRAQI INVASION OF KUWAIT SEVEN YEARS AGO.



AND WASHINGTON SAYS IT WILL MAINTAIN A REINFORCED MILITARY 

PRESENCE IN THE GULF REGION UNTIL IRAQ IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE 

SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. (SIGNED) 



NEB/DBR/DW



22-Nov-97 8:14 AM EST (1314 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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