Russia at center stage as US increases pressure
Iraq, Politics, 11/25/1997

UN weapons inspections teams continue to go about their work without encountering any obstacles in Iraq.

In an effort to increase pressure on Iraq, the US wants to formalize new recommendations by the Butler report (UN special commission) which in essence would give the UN team the security council's approval for extending their inspection functions into areas that previously were agreed upon to be off limits to the UN inspections team.

Previous resolutions (Resolution number 687) stated that UN resolutions must be implemented in a comprehensive manner, "while respecting Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

This latest effort by the US alongside a media campaign generated by so called "leaks" and "show and tell" presentations seems to be directed towards generating maximum pressure on the UN Security Council and public opinions in general as various US official statements that have been released, such as those made by the US defense secretary, are full of words such as "may have," "it is possible," and "Iraq could have."

Russia however, in a major assertion of its role on the UN Security Council, objected yesterday at an emergency meeting to this latest US effort to expand the scope of inspections in Iraq. The Russian ambassador to the UN said "This matter is serious." This highlights the growing sense by some that the US is seeking to provoke Iraq into another confrontation with the Security Council, and the pretext such action would provide to the US in acting unilateraly now that its forces are at full deployment in the Gulf.

The US has repeatedly stated in the past its concern over the progress Iraq has made in rebuilding command, control, communication centers, and strategic industrial and economic sites.

Russia wants chief inspector Richard Butler to travel to Iraq in order to certify the progress Iraq has made in complying with the Security Council resolution that governs UN inspection team functions. Russia also wants Iraq's progress and cooperation noted in the UN commision's report.

Previous Stories:
  Iraq: US inspection demands beyond agreed limits   (11/24/1997)
  Iraq's deputy premier holds constructive talks in Damascus   (11/24/1997)
  Russia takes lead role in Iraq negotiations   (11/19/1997)

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