DATE=12/8/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-IRAQ RESOLUTION (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256974
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO: The United Nations Security Council today 
(Wednesday) moved a few steps closer to a vote on a 
so-called "comprehensive" resolution on Iraq.  As 
correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United 
Nations, the resolution would deal with U-N weapons 
inspections in Iraq as well as U-N economic sanctions 
against the country.


TEXT: After three hours of closed-door Security 
Council consultations, U-S representative Peter 
Burleigh told reporters it is time for the council to 
vote.

            /// Burleigh Act ///

      Whether we have a consensus in the end or not, 
      it is, in our view, time for the Security 
      Council to come to closure on this subject 
      because, frankly, the debates we are having are 
      not on new issues.  They are discussions on 
      issues that we have been looking at for many 
      months.  So governments need to make political 
      decisions about how they stand on the resolution 
      and the council needs to move forward, in our 
      view.

            /// End Act ///

The Security Council has been discussing a proposal 
that would return weapons inspectors to Iraq and lift 
U-N economic sanctions against the country.

Mr. Burleigh says the biggest area of disagreement 
involves the terms under which the nine-year old 
economic sanctions against Iraq would be lifted.

The United States and Britain want weapons inspectors 
to return to Iraq and - if Iraq fully cooperates with 
the inspectors - most economic sanctions would be 
lifted.  However, sanctions could be re-imposed if the 
weapons inspectors report Iraq is not complying with 
the inspection program.  Iraq expelled U-N weapons 
inspectors a year ago.

However, there are reported to be significant 
differences between the United States and Russia over 
how to judge whether Iraq is in compliance.  The 
French government also has some problems with the 
proposed resolution and diplomats say China would 
likely follow Russia's position.  The United States 
and Britain have been hoping to persuade China, France 
and Russia to at least abstain in a Security Council 
vote.  As permanent members, a "no" vote from any one 
of them would veto the resolution.

But, the United States has now apparently come to the 
point where it wants a vote on the resolution - even 
if there is no consensus on the Security Council.  A 
vote could come within the next several days. (Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JP




08-Dec-1999 15:52 PM EDT (08-Dec-1999 2052 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.