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

.