DATE=1/16/98

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-225396

TITLE=RUSSIAN SPY PLANES/IRAQ (L ONLY)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS RUSSIA SPY PLANES WILL NOT 

REPLACE THE AMERICAN U-2 AIRCRAFT THAT FLY OVER IRAQ ON U-N 

WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  MOSCOW OFFERED ITS OWN PLANES AS IRAQ 

CONTINUES TO INSIST THAT THE U-2'S ARE SPYING FOR WASHINGTON.  

V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:



TEXT:  THE RUSSIAN OFFER IS SEEN AS AN EFFORT TO BREAK THE LOGJAM

OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS, AS IRAQ INSISTS THAT AMERICAN 

PARTICIPATION BE REDUCED.



THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH DISARMING IRAQ IS TRYING 

TO MEET SOME OF IRAQ'S CONCERNS.  DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR CHARLES 

DUELFFER SAYS THE RUSSIAN OFFER MAY BE ACCEPTED.  BUT HE ADDS THE

U-2'S ARE VALUABLE AIRCRAFT IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS 

AND WILL NOT BE ELIMINATED:



                        //DUELFFER ACT//



         WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE U-2 

         AIRCRAFT.  WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT AIRCRAFT THE 

         RUSSIANS RE IN FACT PROPOSING, WHAT TYPE OF SENSORS 

         WOULD BE PUT ON IT.  WE DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS

         IS.  BUT IN ANY CASE, IT WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THAT 

         CAPABILITY.



                           //END ACT//



THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS DEMANDED THAT IRAQ COOPERATE FULLY AND 

UNCONDITIONALLY WITH THE INSPECTIONS.   HOWEVER, THE COUNCIL IS 

NOT ABOUT TO START MICRO-MANAGING THE INSPECTION EFFORT.  THIS 

GIVES THE SPECIAL COMMISSION SOME ROOM FOR MANEUVER WITHOUT 

COMPROMISING ITS AUTHORITY.



THE AMERICANS WILL STAY, BUT A FEW CHINESE AND MORE RUSSIAN 

EXPERTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE TEAMS.  THIS AIMS AT SATISFYING 

IRAQ'S COMPLAINT THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY AMERICAN AND BRITISH 

INSPECTORS.



WHATEVER ADJUSTMENTS COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER MAKES 

AFTER HIS TALKS IN BAGHDAD NEXT WEEK -- U-N OFFICIALS ARE QUICK 

TO POINT OUT THAT THE REAL ISSUE IS FULL ACCESS TO ALL SUSPECTED 

WEAPONS SITES, NOT WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE INSPECTION PROGRAM.



                          //REST OPT//



IRAQ IS UNDER AN ECONOMIC EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED KUWAIT IN 

1990.  THE SANCTIONS CANNOT COME OFF UNTIL THE COMMISSION 

CERTIFIES IRAQ HAS NO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION OR THE CAPACITY

TO REBUILD THEM. (SIGNED) 







NEB/PT



         



16-Jan-98 2:33 PM EST (1933 UTC)

NNNN



Source: Voice of America

.