DATE=12/9/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - IRAQ SITUATION (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257015
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The United States tonight (Thursday) again 
pressed the U-N Security Council for a vote on a so-
called "comprehensive" resolution on Iraq. V-O-A 
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United 
Nations.

TEXT:  The proposed resolution, officially sponsored 
by Britain and backed by the United States, would lift 
the economic sanctions against Iraq in exchange for 
the return of weapons inspectors to that country. 
Russia is known to have some differences with the 
plan, specifically on the requirements Iraq would have 
to meet on weapons inspections before sanctions would 
be removed.

The substance of the proposed resolution has been 
under discussion by the five permanent members of the 
Security Council for almost eight months. After more 
than two hours of closed-door consultations Thursday 
by the full Council, U-S representative Peter Burleigh 
told reporters there is no need for any further 
discussion.

            /// BURLEIGH ACT ///

      Several of our colleagues said, and I certainly 
      agree with them, that now is the time for a 
      decision. We have talked about the substance 
      before and we have talked about it conceptually. 
      Governments now need to look at this text and 
      see if it is something they can support or not. 
      Spending another month discussing it would not 
      bring any more clarity. Governments now need to 
      decide it.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Burleigh said that, during consultations, Russia 
did not say whether it would veto, support, or abstain 
from voting on the resolution.

A vote on the comprehensive resolution could come as 
early as Saturday.

In another matter concerning Iraq, members of the 
Security Council agreed to extend the oil-for-food 
program for another six months. That resolution will 
be formally approved at a meeting on Friday. The 
extension is unrelated to the comprehensive resolution 
and would simply continue the program in which Iraq is 
allowed to sell oil to raise money for humanitarian 
purposes.(Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/gm 



09-Dec-1999 20:55 PM EDT (10-Dec-1999 0155 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.