DATE=10/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239623
TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ HELD ANOTHER ROUND
OF TALKS WITH U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TODAY (FRIDAY) IN 
NEW YORK.  BUT THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS OF A BREAKTHROUGH IN 
THEIR DISPUTE OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ.  V-O-A'S MAX 
RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT:   MR. AZIZ AND U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SPOKE FOR 
LESS THAN AN HOUR AT U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.  IT WAS THEIR 
THIRD FORMAL MEETING SINCE MR. AZIZ ARRIVED IN NEW YORK AT THE 
START OF THE WEEK.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY A NUMBER OF CLARIFICATIONS WERE SOUGHT AND 
OBTAINED DURING THE MEETING.  THEY SAY MR. ANNAN INDICATED HE 
WOULD MEET WITH MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL NEXT WEEK AND
WISHES TO MEET AGAIN WITH THE IRAQI DELEGATION ON WEDNESDAY.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, AIDES TO MR. ANNAN SHOWED SOME OPTIMISM ABOUT 
THE TALKS, WHICH ARE AIMED AT CONVINCING IRAQ TO LIFT ITS 
SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION 
COMMISSION, UNSCOM.  IRAQ ORDERED THE SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION 
WITH UNSCOM AMID CHARGES THAT UNSCOM IS DELIBERATELY REFUSING TO 
RECOGNIZE IRAQI PROGRESS IN THE DISARMAMENT PROCESS.

THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS THE IRAQI SUSPENSION IS 
UNACCEPTABLE AND MUST BE LIFTED BEFORE ANY CONSIDERATION CAN BE 
GIVEN TO THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER THE GULF WAR.

MR. ANNAN HAS PROPOSED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE INSPECTION 
PROCESS AS A MEANS FOR CLEARING UP IRAQ'S ALLEGATIONS.  BUT HE 
SAYS IRAQ MUST FIRST RESUME COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM ... A 
CONDITION IRAQ HAS SO FAR PUBLICLY REFUSED.

THE TALKS BETWEEN MR. AZIZ AND THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL COME 
AMID IRAQI CALLS FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE INTEGRITY OF 
UNSCOM.  IRAQ CLAIMS UNSCOM IS SERVING AS AN ESPIONAGE TOOL FOR 
THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL, PROVIDING THEM WITH INFORMATION TO 
BE USED FOR MILITARY AGGRESSION.  UNSCOM DENIES THAT CHARGE, 
SAYING IT ANSWERS ONLY TO THE UNITED NATIONS.  (SIGNED)



NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

02-Oct-98 5:46 PM EDT (2146 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.