DATE=3/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227941
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (S)
BYLINE=AL PESSIN
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE CHIEF OF THE SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS TEAMS WHICH WILL 
INSPECT IRAQ'S PRESIDENTIAL SITES HAS ARRIVED IN BAGHDAD TO BEGIN
MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE INSPECTIONS.  V-O-A'S AL PESSIN 
REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN CAIRO.

TEXT:  SRI LANKAN DIPLOMAT JAYANTHA DHANAPALA FLEW TO BAGHDAD 
FROM BAHRAIN WEDNESDAY MORNING, TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTING A KEY PART 
OF THE U-N / IRAQ AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED LAST MONTH.  REPORTERS 
WERE KEPT AWAY FROM MR. DHANAPALA, APPARENTLY AS PART OF THE 
IRAQI GOVERNMENT'S DESIRE THAT WEAPONS INSPECTORS  NOT  TALK TO 
THE MEDIA.

IRAQ HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT CONTACTS BETWEEN INSPECTORS AND 
REPORTERS.

MR. DHANAPALA IS THE U-N UNDERSECRETARY-GENERAL FOR DISARMAMENT  
HE IS SEEKING IRAQI APPROVAL FOR A PROGRAM OF INSPECTIONS AT 
PRESIDENTIAL SITES BY WEAPONS EXPERTS AND DIPLOMATS, AS PROMISED 
IN LAST MONTH'S AGREEMENT.  

HE HAS ALREADY ASKED SEVERAL COUNTRIES TO PROVIDE DIPLOMATS FOR 
THE TEAMS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN, WHICH HAVE 
TAKEN THE TOUGHEST ATTITUDE TOWARD IRAQ'S ALLEGED WEAPONS 
PROGRAM.

THE INSPECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF THE MONTH.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/AWP/JWH

11-Mar-98 6:50 AM EST (1150 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.